The Federal Government has evacuated 258 Nigerians from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of the country.
The evacuees arrived in Nigeria on Thursday aboard a special Air Peace flight, which landed at the International Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 10:25 a.m.
Officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, led by Acting High Commissioner Ambassador Temitope Alexander Ajayi, accompanied the returnees on the flight.
Receiving the evacuees on behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said the evacuation reflected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the safety, welfare and dignity of Nigerians living abroad.
He conveyed the President’s assurances that the government would continue to take decisive measures to protect its citizens wherever they may be and would not stand by while Nigerians are subjected to attacks and harassment.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the evacuation exercise was coordinated in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and relevant government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Immigration Service and security agencies.
According to the ministry, the operation underscores the government’s proactive response to protect Nigerian lives amid the recent wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
Enikanolaiye noted that the evacuation should not be interpreted as a sign of defeat but rather as evidence of the administration’s citizen-focused foreign policy and determination to safeguard Nigerians abroad.
He further disclosed that the Federal Government remains engaged with South African authorities at the highest diplomatic levels to ensure the protection of Nigerian nationals and address the underlying causes of the attacks.
The minister urged Nigerians still residing in South Africa to remain law-abiding, vigilant and maintain close contact with the Nigerian Mission by reporting any threats or incidents.
The ministry also announced that additional evacuation flights are expected in the coming days as efforts continue to assist Nigerians willing to return home.
The returnees are currently undergoing documentation, profiling and medical screening and will be provided temporary accommodation before being reunited with their families.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of Nigerians worldwide and called for calm as diplomatic engagements to resolve the situation continue.
