Nigeria evacuates 1,490 citizens from South Africa in seven repatriation flights

THE Nigerian government has completed the evacuation of 1,490 citizens from South Africa following a surge in xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in the country.

The repatriation exercise, which commenced on June 11, was concluded on Wednesday after seven batches of returnees were flown back to Nigeria. While the government financed 5 evacuation flights, 2 additional groups returned under emergency arrangements.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, outlined the details of the operation and said the exercise was carried out through a coordinated effort involving multiple government agencies.

According to Ebienfa, the ministry partnered with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Consulate-General in Johannesburg, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Port Health Services and other relevant agencies to oversee the process from registration of evacuees to their departure and reception in Nigeria.

He also commended Air Peace Limited for supporting the evacuation programme, describing the airline’s contribution as a demonstration of patriotism and partnership with the government.

Ebienfa said that although Nigeria values its longstanding diplomatic ties with South Africa, the government maintains that xenophobia, racial intolerance and attacks on foreign nationals remain unacceptable.

He added that Nigeria would continue diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to advance the safety, security and peaceful coexistence of all residents.

The ministry further advised Nigerians living abroad to obey the laws of their host countries, register with the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission and maintain regular contact with embassy officials to enable timely assistance whenever the need arises.

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