Xenophobia: First Batch Of 268 Nigerian Returnees Arrive Lagos From South Africa

The first group of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks has arrived in Lagos.

The 268 returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Thursday aboard an Air Peace aircraft deployed for the Federal Government’s repatriation programme.

The flight, which was initially scheduled to leave on Monday, was postponed to Wednesday due to delays linked to documentation and other administrative processes before eventually departing South Africa.

The evacuation comes amid growing fears over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa following reports of xenophobic-related violence.

The Federal Government had earlier revealed that more than 1,000 Nigerians living in South Africa had expressed interest in returning home, with more evacuation flights expected as the exercise continues.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the number of Nigerians seeking repatriation had continued to rise.

She disclosed that the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria was working with South African authorities to facilitate the smooth evacuation of affected citizens, including those with immigration challenges.

The minister explained that arrangements had been made to allow Nigerians with unresolved immigration matters to leave through the evacuation programme instead of being detained.

Ahead of the exercise, the Nigerian Mission in South Africa began screening and documenting citizens willing to return home. The process was later extended beyond the initial timeline to accommodate the increasing number of applicants.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the extension demonstrated the government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigerians abroad.

The ministry stated that protecting Nigerian citizens overseas remains a major priority of the country’s foreign policy and a core responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The arrival of the first batch signals the commencement of a wider repatriation effort aimed at assisting Nigerians affected by the unrest and ensuring their safe return to the country.