FOURTH BATCH OF EVACUATED NIGERIANS RETURNS FROM SOUTH AFRICA
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The fourth batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as the Federal Government continues its voluntary repatriation exercise for citizens affected by the ongoing xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant protests in the country.
The returnees, comprising 272 adults and 12 infants, landed late Thursday aboard an Air Peace flight.
Images from the airport showed the evacuees disembarking the aircraft under the supervision of airport officials, with families carrying luggage and personal belongings while receiving assistance from ground staff.
Earlier on Thursday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, announced the departure of the flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
According to the minister, the aircraft departed South Africa at 2:50 p.m. local time with 287 Nigerians on board, including airline crew and Nigerian government officials.
She disclosed that the Air Peace aircraft initially scheduled for the evacuation was unable to operate after its windshield reportedly shattered in Johannesburg.
“The Air Peace aircraft earlier scheduled to evacuate this batch of evacuees was unable to operate after its windshield reportedly shattered in Johannesburg.
“Air Peace swiftly deployed a replacement aircraft to facilitate this operation,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Nigerians who wish to return home in the wake of the anti-migrant violence in South Africa.
“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains committed to providing a pathway to safety for its citizens who consider themselves and their families at risk by remaining in South Africa as a result of the anti-migrant protests and incidents which have engulfed the country,” she said.
Welcoming the returnees, the minister added, “To the returnees, we say, ‘Welcome Home’.”
The latest evacuation marks the fourth batch of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa under the Federal Government’s ongoing voluntary evacuation programme following the resurgence of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
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