282 more evacuated Nigerians arrive from South Africa

Another batch of 282 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday night aboard an Air Peace flight, bringing the total number of returnees under the evacuation programme to 1,141.

 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.Africans & Diaspora.

“The fourth evacuation flight from South Africa operated by Air Peace arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos today with 282 returnees,” the statement read.

Ebienfa added that the fifth and final evacuation flight is expected to arrive in Nigeria next week.Africans & Diaspora

The Federal Government launched the voluntary evacuation programme in June following renewed anti-immigration protests and attacks on foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.

More than 1,000 Nigerians registered to return home under the initiative, which is fully funded by the Federal Government and coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu had earlier urged affected Nigerians to prioritise their safety, saying, “The price of your peace, and the safety of your children is not worth any sacrifices you have to make, or any assets you have to leave behind when fleeing a conflict zone or hate-infested environment.”

The House of Representatives has also condemned the attacks, describing them as unacceptable, and called on the Federal Government to adopt stronger diplomatic measures if Nigerians continue to be targeted.