Second Batch Of Nigerians Repatriated From South Africa Arrive Lagos

A second group of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in Lagos as part of the federal government’s ongoing effort to bring citizens home following recent xenophobic attacks in the country.

The 66 returnees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday night at approximately 8:50 p.m.

The evacuation exercise was approved by President Bola Tinubu after reports of renewed xenophobic violence targeting foreigners in South Africa.

Earlier in the operation, 258 Nigerians were brought back to the country on June 11 through a chartered Air Peace flight.

Dipo Onabowale, the Lagos representative of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), said the latest flight was made possible through the support of Kunle Soname, chairman and chief executive officer of ValueJet.

Officials from the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa also accompanied the evacuees on the journey home.

Speaking on behalf of NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Onabowale expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for authorising the evacuation process.

He explained that issues encountered during the first phase of the exercise are currently being resolved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to improve future operations.

According to him, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has assured Nigerians that everyone who registered for evacuation in South Africa will be brought back safely.

NiDCOM also revealed that several support packages have been arranged for the returnees.

Among them, indigenes of Imo State are expected to receive N1 million each from Governor Hope Uzodimma.

MTN Nigeria also provided free SIM cards, N50,000 worth of data, and deposited N100,000 into the bank accounts of each returnee.

Bolaji Idowu, founder of Harvesters International Christian Centre, also donated N100,000 to every evacuee.

The returnees thanked President Tinubu for approving the operation and helping them return home.

They also expressed gratitude to Kunle Soname, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa Temitope Ajayi, NiDCOM Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other individuals who contributed to the exercise.

Several government agencies were present at the airport to receive and register the evacuees.

These included officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other relevant bodies.

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