The Federal Government has received another batch of 269 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa, as voluntary repatriation efforts continue following weeks of anti-immigration protests and growing xenophobic tensions in the country.
The evacuees arrived at the cargo terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, aboard an Air Peace flight at approximately 10:54 a.m. on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the latest group brings the total number of Nigerians evacuated to 593. This figure includes 258 returnees received on June 11 and 66 others who arrived on June 24 aboard South African Airways through the support of a Nigerian benefactor.
According to Ebienfa, the 269 returnees were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa and were formally received by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by the Director of the African Affairs Department, Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe.
He said Ambassador Ali-Gombe conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the returnees, assuring them of the Federal Government’s continued commitment to protecting the lives and welfare of Nigerians living abroad.
“With the June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa, the Federal Government wishes to reiterate that the evacuation exercise remains ongoing,” Ebienfa stated.
He added that additional evacuation flights are expected in the coming days to bring home more Nigerians who have completed the screening process and opted to return voluntarily.
The Federal Government also reaffirmed its commitment to sustained diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to safeguard the rights and security of Nigerians residing in the country.
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