Photo caption: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu
A group of at least 270 Nigerians, who are expected to make up the first batch of returnees from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, is scheduled to arrive in Lagos on Thursday morning as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to assist affected citizens.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the evacuees will be flown back to Nigeria aboard an Air Peace aircraft departing Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday night.
The flight is expected to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 5 a.m. on Thursday.
Ebienfa said the Federal Government had taken responsibility for the evacuation exercise, including funding and arrangements for the reception of the returnees upon arrival.
“Upon arrival, the evacuees will undergo documentation and profiling procedures and will receive the appropriate assistance and support before being reunited with their families,” the statement added.
The repatriation exercise was initially scheduled to commence on Monday but was postponed until Wednesday due to what the ministry described as “unforeseen logistical considerations.”
Providing further clarification on the delay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, explained that additional time was required to conclude documentation and screening processes being carried out in collaboration with South African authorities.
She noted that more than 1,000 Nigerians in South Africa had participated in the screening exercise, adding that the number of individuals seeking repatriation continued to rise.
The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria also revealed that discussions with South African authorities resulted in concessions for some Nigerians facing immigration-related issues.
According to the mission, it had “negotiated waivers with host authorities” to ensure that individuals with “immigration-related offences” could depart through the repatriation programme instead of being detained.
The evacuation operation is being coordinated by the National Emergency Management Agency alongside other relevant government agencies.
The repatriation follows growing concerns over attacks on foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, prompting Nigerian authorities to facilitate the voluntary return of citizens who wish to leave the country.
FG has repeatedly assured Nigerians residing in South Africa of its commitment to their safety and welfare while continuing diplomatic engagements aimed at addressing the situation.
