Final batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrives in Lagos

By Our Reporter

The final batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks arrived in Lagos on Wednesday, bringing to an end the Federal Government’s emergency repatriation exercise for citizens who voluntarily chose to return home.

The returnees arrived aboard an Air Peace flight that landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 11:28 a.m., according to Channels Television.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the flight marked the conclusion of the Federal Government’s evacuation programme, which was launched after renewed xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant violence in parts of South Africa forced many Nigerians to seek voluntary repatriation.

Before the arrival of the flight, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed that more than 300 Nigerians were expected on the final evacuation mission.

Announcing the departure of the aircraft from Johannesburg earlier on Wednesday, the minister wrote on her X account:

“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 O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg this morning at 6:30 a.m. South African time.”

She added that the aircraft was expected to arrive in Nigeria at about 11:30 a.m.

According to the minister, the latest flight carried 308 Nigerian nationals and three government officials, bringing the total number of citizens evacuated during the exercise to more than 1,500.

A day earlier, Odumegwu-Ojukwu had shared a video showing Nigerian nationals departing the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for O.R. Tambo International Airport ahead of their journey home.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians living abroad and expressed appreciation to the agencies and stakeholders that supported the evacuation exercise.

Before Wednesday’s operation, the government had completed six evacuation flights, including the previous mission that returned 40 Nigerians to the country.

The evacuation programme was restricted to citizens who voluntarily registered to return home following the attacks.

The repatriation exercise follows months of renewed xenophobic violence in South Africa, where attacks targeting foreign nationals have reportedly persisted since April.

Several Nigerians and other African migrants were affected by the unrest, with reports of deaths, injuries, destruction of businesses and loss of property.

As tensions escalated, dozens of Nigerians reportedly sought refuge at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria while awaiting evacuation.

The attacks have sparked widespread condemnation across Nigeria and other African countries.

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the violence and warned that Nigeria would consider further diplomatic measures if attacks on its citizens continued.

Similarly, Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, called on the Federal Government to review its diplomatic relations with South Africa over the recurring attacks on Nigerians.

Air Peace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, also urged Nigerians to suspend investments in South Africa and boycott the country’s economy in protest against the renewed xenophobic attacks.

While advocating economic pressure, Onyema appealed to Nigerians to remain peaceful and avoid reprisals or actions that could threaten South African businesses operating in Nigeria.

The completion of the evacuation exercise marks the end of the Federal Government’s immediate response to the latest wave of xenophobic violence, although concerns remain over the safety and welfare of Nigerians who continue to live and work in South Africa.