67 More Nigerians Repatriated From South Africa Arrive In Lagos

Another 67 Nigerians repatriated from South Africa have returned to the country, arriving in Lagos on Wednesday night.

The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard a South African Airways flight, one week after another group of 83 Nigerians was brought back from South Africa.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the latest repatriation was funded by private individuals, just like the previous exercise.

“This group is also facilitating this latest exercise amidst unrelenting concerns over the safety and welfare of our nationals in South Africa occasioned by reports of continuing xenophobic incidents and protests by groups calling for the deportation of foreign nationals,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.

According to the minister, the latest group consisted of 30 adults, 34 children and one infant.

The returnees came from Lagos, Enugu, Kogi, Ogun, Imo, Oyo, Delta, Edo, Anambra, Osun, Benue, Abia and Kwara states.

“We continue to appeal to state governments to complement the federal government’s repatriation efforts by coming to the aid of their returnees, many of whom left South Africa, abandoning livelihoods and properties, and to assist towards alleviating the trauma their returning indigenes have endured by assisting them with relocation and resettlement,” She said.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Ikem Ume-Ezeoke, who coordinated the repatriation exercise, and businessman Charles Mba spoke to the returnees after their arrival.

The two men also gave each returnee N50,000 to support them following their return to Nigeria.

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