Eighty-three Nigerian returnees have arrived in Lagos from South Africa following their repatriation from Johannesburg aboard a South African Airways flight.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, accompanied by two officials of the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Johannesburg.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Wednesday.
According to the Ministry, the repatriation exercise was made possible through the procurement of flight tickets by good-spirited private individuals who provided financial support to facilitate the safe return of the Nigerians.
Upon arrival, the returnees were received by the Director of the African Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe, who welcomed them on behalf of the Federal Government.
They were subsequently handed over to relevant government agencies for documentation and profiling ahead of their reunification with their families.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and safe return of Nigerian citizens abroad, while expressing appreciation to the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, the private sponsors and all agencies involved in the repatriation, reception and reintegration process.
The Ministry said the collaboration among the stakeholders contributed to ensuring a smooth return and reception of the 83 Nigerians.
