66 More Nigerians Evacuated from South Africa as Federal Government Intensifies Response to Xenophobic Attacks

Another group of Nigerians fleeing renewed xenophobic violence in South Africa has arrived home, as the Federal Government continues efforts to bring stranded citizens back to safety.

A total of 66 Nigerians landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday night, becoming the second batch of evacuees repatriated under an emergency evacuation programme approved by President Bola Tinubu.

The latest operation follows the successful return of 258 Nigerians on June 11, when the first group arrived aboard a chartered Air Peace flight after reports of escalating attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.

Officials said the second evacuation exercise was made possible through the support of Kunle Soname, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ValueJet, while representatives of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanied the returnees throughout the process.

Speaking in Lagos, Dipo Onabowale, who represented the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, praised the Federal Government for acting swiftly to protect affected citizens.

According to him, the government remains committed to ensuring that every registered Nigerian seeking evacuation from South Africa is safely returned home. He also noted that challenges encountered during the first phase of the operation are already being addressed.

“There are 66 people in the second batch. Logistical challenges encountered during the first evacuation exercise are being addressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Onabowale stated.

He added that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has assured Nigerians that all citizens who registered for evacuation would be accommodated as the exercise continues.

The evacuation comes amid growing concerns over recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which have repeatedly strained diplomatic relations and raised safety fears among Nigerians living and working in the country.