Final Batch of Evacuated Nigerians Returns Home from South Africa

The final batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, bringing to a close the Federal Government’s repatriation exercise following renewed xenophobic attacks in the country.

The latest group of 40 returnees arrived aboard a chartered Air Peace flight on Friday night, raising the total number of Nigerians evacuated under the exercise to 1,174, according to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

NiDCOM disclosed that the evacuation was carried out in six batches, with previous flights returning 258, 266, 262, 282 and 66 Nigerians through Air Peace and ValueJet before the final group arrived.

The repatriation exercise was coordinated by the Federal Government in response to renewed xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, with all affected Nigerians flown home at no cost.

Government officials said returnees will undergo documentation and profiling before receiving necessary support to facilitate their reintegration into society.

The successful completion of the evacuation underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigerians abroad amid growing security concerns in parts of South Africa.