Another 271 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday as the Federal Government continues its voluntary repatriation programme amid rising anti-immigration tensions.
The returnees arrived on an Air Peace flight that landed shortly before 11 a.m. after leaving Johannesburg at about 5 a.m. local time.
Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission received them at the airport.
The latest evacuation is part of efforts by the Federal Government to support Nigerians who chose to return home due to growing hostility towards undocumented migrants in South Africa.
The exercise comes ahead of a June 30 deadline announced by some vigilante groups and organisations calling for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa.
President Bola Tinubu approved the voluntary evacuation programme earlier this month to help Nigerians willing to return home safely.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it approved five Air Peace evacuation flights after more than 500 Nigerians completed screening for repatriation.
The ministry said the flights would help evacuate all registered Nigerians who showed interest in returning home.
Before Tusday’s operation, 328 Nigerians had already returned in two batches. The first flight arrived on June 11 with 262 returnees, while another 66 Nigerians arrived in Lagos on June 25.
The Federal Government is coordinating the evacuation with Air Peace and other relevant agencies to ensure a smooth return process.
External Sources
Nigeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.
National Emergency Management Agency.
