The Federal Government has concluded the evacuation of Nigerians affected by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with the final government-sponsored flight bringing home 308 citizens on Wednesday.
The aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, carrying the returnees alongside three Nigerian government officials who coordinated the evacuation exercise.
Airport officials received the evacuees, comprising women, children and families, on arrival.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the latest operation raised the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to more than 1,500.
She explained that the final flight departed Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg after completing the government’s emergency evacuation programme for citizens affected by xenophobic attacks targeting black migrants.
The minister expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving the emergency airlift, describing the intervention as timely and life-saving.
According to her, the President’s swift response ensured the safe return of hundreds of Nigerians who were caught in the violence and prevented further loss of lives.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also commended officials of the Nigerian mission in South Africa for coordinating the exercise, while praising Air Peace for its role in transporting the evacuees back home.
She said the successful completion of the evacuation reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare and safety of Nigerians, regardless of where they reside.
