FG Completes South Africa Evacuation As Final Flight Returns 308 Nigerians

The Federal Government on Wednesday concluded its emergency evacuation of Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with the arrival of the final repatriation flight carrying 308 returnees.

The aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 11:30 a.m It also conveyed three government officials who participated in coordinating the evacuation exercise.

With the arrival of the final batch, more than 1,500 Nigerians have now been repatriated from South Africa under the Federal Government's emergency evacuation programme launched in response to renewed xenophobic violence.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the successful completion of the operation as a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu's commitment to the safety, welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad.

According to the minister, the President's intervention ensured the safe return of citizens who were displaced or endangered by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa.

She added that Tinubu's decision to continue the evacuation beyond the June 30 deadline earlier issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa underscored the administration's determination to protect Nigerians facing crisis situations outside the country.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu welcomed the returnees upon arrival and commended officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, as well as other government agencies involved in planning and executing the evacuation.

She also encouraged the evacuees to take advantage of available government support programmes designed to assist their reintegration into society and help them rebuild their lives.

The evacuation exercise was initiated after renewed xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa forced many Nigerians to seek assistance from the Federal Government to return home.

The completion of the operation marks the end of one of Nigeria's largest emergency repatriation efforts in recent years, with authorities reaffirming their commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerian citizens wherever they reside.