A total of 262 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa have arrived safely in Lagos following renewed reports of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
The evacuees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard a government-organised flight operated by Air Peace. The evacuation was coordinated by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with relevant agencies.
Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and security services were on ground at the airport to receive the returnees upon arrival.
Government representatives confirmed that the evacuees would undergo documentation, profiling, and other formal procedures before being reunited with their families. Authorities explained that the process is necessary to properly account for all returnees and ensure they receive appropriate support after their return.
The evacuation became necessary after rising tensions and renewed attacks on foreign nationals and businesses in parts of South Africa triggered safety concerns among Nigerian citizens. The Federal Government subsequently moved to repatriate affected citizens under a coordinated emergency arrangement.
Officials also indicated that additional batches of Nigerians are expected to return in the coming days, although the exact number of those still awaiting evacuation has not been disclosed.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had earlier stated that the decision followed reports of violent incidents affecting Nigerians and other African migrants. She noted that senior officials were deployed to oversee the reception of returnees, while also engaging diplomatic channels to address related consular issues involving Nigerians detained abroad.
Meanwhile, several other African countries, including Ghana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Malawi, have also undertaken similar evacuation measures for their citizens amid the unrest in South Africa.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Nigerians abroad and continuing diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to prevent further escalation and ensure the protection of foreign nationals.
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