The first batch of Nigerians being repatriated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday morning.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the returnees will be airlifted aboard an Air Peace flight scheduled to depart O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night and arrive in Lagos at about 5 a.m. on Thursday.
Ebienfa said the Federal Government has fully funded the evacuation exercise and put in place arrangements to receive and support the returnees.
Upon arrival, the evacuees will undergo documentation and profiling procedures and will receive the appropriate assistance and support before being reunited with their families,” the statement said.
The repatriation flight was initially scheduled for Monday but was postponed to Wednesday due to what the ministry described as “unforeseen logistical considerations.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had earlier explained that the delay was necessary to complete documentation and screening processes in collaboration with South African authorities.
According to the minister, more than 1,000 Nigerians in South Africa participated in the screening exercise, with the number continuing to rise.
Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria also disclosed that it secured waivers from South African authorities to allow Nigerians with immigration-related offences to leave the country through the repatriation programme instead of facing detention.
At least 270 Nigerians are expected to be on the first evacuation flight, which is being coordinated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant government agencies.
The evacuation exercise follows growing concerns over attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, prompting Nigerian authorities to facilitate the voluntary return of affected citizens.
The Federal Government had earlier assured Nigerians living in South Africa of its commitment to safeguarding their welfare and working with relevant authorities to address the situation.
