The Federal Government has received the first batch of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa following a recent wave of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigration protests that have created fear and uncertainty for many foreign nationals living in the country. The returnees arrived in Lagos aboard a government-sponsored evacuation flight as authorities intensified efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of Nigerian citizens affected by the unrest.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a total of 262 Nigerian nationals, accompanied by government officials, were transported back to Nigeria on the first evacuation flight operated by Air Peace and fully funded by the Federal Government. The evacuation exercise was approved after hundreds of Nigerians expressed concerns over their safety amid escalating hostility toward migrants in several South African communities.
The returnees were received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, where government agencies coordinated reception, documentation, profiling, and support services to facilitate their reintegration and eventual reunion with their families. Officials assured the evacuees that adequate arrangements had been made to provide immediate assistance and help them settle after their difficult experiences abroad. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the evacuation as a humanitarian response directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to protect Nigerians who felt endangered by the growing anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa. She emphasized that no material possession is more important than the safety of citizens and encouraged those returning home to see the move as a necessary step toward securing their future and protecting their families.
The repatriation exercise comes after weeks of unrest in parts of South Africa, where groups protesting illegal immigration have reportedly targeted foreign nationals, leading to intimidation, displacement, and violent incidents. The situation prompted thousands of migrants from different African countries to seek assistance from their governments, with Nigeria among the nations that moved swiftly to organize evacuation plans for willing citizens.
Government sources revealed that more than 1,000 Nigerians have registered for voluntary return from South Africa, prompting the approval of multiple evacuation flights. Officials say additional batches of returnees are expected in the coming days as screening, documentation, and logistical arrangements continue between Nigerian and South African authorities.
The development highlights the growing concern among African governments over the resurgence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, a country that has experienced similar episodes in the past. While South African authorities have condemned the violence and pledged to maintain order, many affected migrants have chosen to return to their home countries rather than remain in an increasingly tense environment.
For Nigeria, the successful arrival of the first group of evacuees represents a significant step in its commitment to protecting citizens abroad. As more Nigerians prepare to return, the government has reiterated its determination to continue providing assistance and ensuring that every citizen affected by the crisis receives the support needed to rebuild their lives back home.
