Another batch of 271 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived safely in Lagos as the Federal Government continues its voluntary repatriation programme for citizens affected by rising anti-immigrant tensions in the country.
The returnees arrived aboard an Air Peace flight, which landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, shortly before 11 a.m. on Tuesday after departing Johannesburg at about 5 a.m. local time.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) were at the airport to receive the evacuees.
The latest evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to assist Nigerians who voluntarily chose to return home following growing fears over planned anti-immigration protests in South Africa.
Earlier this month, President Bola Tinubu approved the evacuation programme after reports of renewed xenophobic tensions and threats against undocumented migrants.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier announced that five Air Peace evacuation flights were approved after more than 500 Nigerians registered to return home.
Before Tuesday’s operation, 328 Nigerians had already been repatriated in two batches. The first flight brought home 262 returnees on June 11, while another 66 Nigerians arrived in Lagos on June 25.
The evacuation exercise is being coordinated by the Federal Government in collaboration with Air Peace and relevant agencies to ensure the safe return of all registered Nigerians willing to leave South Africa.
Meanwhile, security remained tight across parts of Johannesburg on Tuesday as police were deployed to monitor planned anti-immigration protests. Several businesses remained closed, while protesters gathered in parts of Durban, chanting slogans demanding the departure of undocumented migrants.
Despite the heightened tension, Nigerian authorities say they will continue working to ensure the safety of citizens who choose to remain in South Africa while assisting those willing to return home.
