Final evacuation flight returns 308 Nigerians from South Africa

The federal government has concluded the evacuation of Nigerians stranded in South Africa, with a final repatriation flight bringing back 308 returnees.

The aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. It also conveyed three government officials involved in coordinating the evacuation exercise.

With this development, the total number of Nigerians repatriated during the operation has risen to over 1,500.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the evacuation.

She described the move as a timely intervention that helped safeguard Nigerians affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the president’s decision to extend the evacuation beyond the June 30 deadline reportedly issued by anti-migrant groups demonstrated his commitment to the safety and welfare of citizens abroad.

The minister also welcomed the returnees and expressed gratitude to Nigerian officials in South Africa for effectively coordinating the evacuation and ensuring the safe return of those affected.

The exercise marks the conclusion of a major government effort to assist citizens caught in the wave of anti-foreigner violence in the country.