The Federal Government has concluded the evacuation of Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with a final flight bringing 308 returnees to Lagos on Wednesday.
The aircraft landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 11:30 a.m., alongside three officials who coordinated the operation. The latest arrival brings the total number of evacuated Nigerians to over 1,500 under the emergency repatriation program.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the exercise reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad. She noted that the evacuation was extended beyond the June 30 deadline issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa to ensure more citizens could return safely.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and other agencies for their role in the operation and urged returnees to access government support for reintegration.
The evacuation followed renewed xenophobic violence in parts of South Africa, which forced many Nigerians to seek assistance to return home.
