83 Nigerians Evacuated From South Africa Amid Xenophobic Attack Concerns

Eighty-three Nigerians evacuated from South Africa have returned home amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks and hostility towards African migrants in the country.

The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday night aboard a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg. Two officials from the Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg accompanied them on the journey.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday night by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

Ebienfa said the latest evacuation was funded by private individuals who provided money for the returnees’ flight tickets. He thanked the sponsors for supporting the safe repatriation of the Nigerians.

“The repatriation exercise of this batch of returnees was facilitated through the procurement of flight tickets by good-spirited private individuals, whose generous support enabled their safe return to Nigeria,” he said.

The returnees were received at the airport by Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe, Director of the African Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who welcomed them on behalf of the Federal Government.

After their arrival, the Nigerians were handed over to relevant government agencies for documentation and profiling before being reunited with their families.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Federal Government remained committed to protecting Nigerians abroad and helping citizens return home when they are affected by emergencies in other countries. It also commended the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa, private sponsors and government agencies involved in the evacuation and reception process.