The Federal Government has concluded the evacuation of Nigerians affected by the recent xenophobic a.ttacks in South Africa, with the final government-sponsored flight bringing home 308 returnees
The flight arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday, carrying the evacuees alongside three Nigerian government officials who coordinated the evacuation process in South Africa.
The returnees, made up of men, women, children and families, were received by officials on arrival.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the latest airlift raised the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to over 1,500.
She said: “The last Federal Government-sponsored flight conveying our nationals home from South Africa as a result of the xenophobic protests and attacks on black migrants which have engulfed that country departed Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, this morning. Over 1,500 nationals have been evacuated. The number of evacuees on this flight is 308 nationals and three Nigerian officials. Our prayers are for a safe return.”
The minister commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the emergency evacuation, describing the intervention as timely and life-saving for Nigerians caught in the attacks.
She also applauded Nigerian diplomats in South Africa and Air Peace for their roles in ensuring the successful evacuation of the stranded citizens.
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