Second batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrive in Lagos
The second group of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Wednesday night as part of the federal government’s ongoing evacuation exercise.
The 66 returnees landed at about 8:50 p.m. aboard a ValueJet-operated flight, following renewed efforts by the Nigerian government to evacuate citizens affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The evacuation, approved by President Bola Tinubu, follows the earlier return of 258 Nigerians who arrived on June 11 via a chartered Air Peace flight.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Dipo Onabowale, NiDCOM’s head in Lagos, said the latest exercise was facilitated by Kunle Soname, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ValueJet, with officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanying the evacuees.
Onabowale noted that logistical challenges experienced during the first evacuation are being addressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has assured that all registered Nigerians in South Africa will be evacuated.
He also commended President Tinubu for approving the evacuation exercise.
According to NiDCOM, the returnees will receive various forms of support upon arrival. Indigenes of Imo State among them are expected to receive ₦1 million each from Governor Hope Uzodimma.
In addition, MTN Nigeria provided each returnee with free SIM cards, data worth ₦50,000, and ₦100,000 credited to their bank accounts. The founder of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Pastor Bolaji Idowu, also donated ₦100,000 to each evacuee.
The returnees expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for facilitating their return, as well as to all individuals and organisations involved in the evacuation process, including Soname, the acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, and NiDCOM leadership.
Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons were present at the airport to receive and document the returnees.
