Xenophobia: First Batch Of 84 Nigerians Takes Off From South Africa, Set To Arrive Nigeria

The first batch of 84 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa is expected to arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday at 2.p.m. local time via the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos State.

This was disclosed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an update made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.

According to the ministry, although 313 Nigerians were confirmed as those to form the first batch of evacuees, only 84 of them would arrive on Wednesday because they were the ones cleared to embark on the flight to Nigeria.

“The Air Peace aircraft which was scheduled to take off at 9. a.m. local time was delayed due to the fact that checking in and clearance procedures by immigration are very very slow.

“There are complains of system failure and out of the 313 confirmed for first batch of evacuation today, only 84 are cleared so far.

“The more the aircraft waits for the passengers, the higher the amount the aircraft will pay for parking,” the ministry stated.

The ministry added that the second batch of evacuees would depart Johannesburg for Nigeria on Friday.

KanyiDaily had reported that 640 Nigerians have indicated the desire to return home from South Africa and have registered to do so, following the xenophobic attack on Nigerians in South Africa.