The Federal Government completed its emergency repatriation programme on Wednesday when a final flight touched down at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos carrying 308 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa. The aircraft arrived at approximately 11:30 a.m. and also transported three government officials who helped coordinate the operation.
This latest batch brings the total number of evacuees to more than 1,500 Nigerians brought home under the scheme. The evacuation was triggered by a fresh wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa that forced many citizens to flee.
Foreign affairs minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu hailed the conclusion of the exercise as evidence of President Bola Tinubu's dedication to protecting Nigerians abroad. She said the president's intervention ensured citizens affected by the attacks returned safely to Nigeria.
According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Tinubu's decision to push past the June 30 deadline that anti-migrant groups had set in South Africa showed his commitment to helping Nigerians facing crises outside the country. "The President's resolve to protect our citizens is unwavering," she told reporters at the airport.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended staff at Nigeria's High Commission in South Africa and other government agencies for executing the evacuation smoothly. She encouraged returnees to access government support programmes designed to help them rebuild their lives at home.
