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Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has said that the next batch, comprising 271 Nigerians Returnees from South Africa following the recent xenophobic protests, is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement on Thursday by its Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, saying the evacuation exercise underscores the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad and ensuring their safe return during periods of crisis.
According to the statement, the first batch of 258 returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 11 aboard a special Air Peace flight.
They were received by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, on behalf of the Federal Government before being handed over to relevant government agencies for documentation and profiling.
The Ministry explained that logistical challenges delayed the second evacuation flight, prompting the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to temporarily accommodate and care for affected citizens awaiting their return.
It added that a Nigerian philanthropist voluntarily sponsored the air tickets of 66 stranded nationals, who returned to Lagos aboard a South African Airways flight on June 24.
A second government-arranged evacuation flight landed in Lagos on June 30 with 269 returnees, bringing the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa so far to 593.
The Ministry further announced that three additional evacuation flights have been scheduled to bring home all Nigerians who voluntarily registered for evacuation and have completed the required screening and clearance process.
The Ministry also dismissed allegations that officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa demanded money from citizens before including them on the evacuation list.
It stressed that all special evacuation flights are fully funded by the Federal Government and that no returnee is required to pay any fee.
According to the statement, claims that mission staff requested payment for evacuation are false and should be disregarded.
The Ministry commended the cooperation of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved in the operation, noting that their collaboration has contributed significantly to the success of the evacuation exercise.
It reaffirmed that the protection of Nigerians abroad remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy, adding that the government will continue to provide support, dignity and care to citizens affected by crises overseas.
The Ministry added that the ongoing evacuation reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to safeguard the welfare of Nigerians wherever they reside and ensure that those in distress receive timely assistance.
