The Federal Government has completed the evacuation of Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with the last government-sponsored flight carrying 308 returnees arriving at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday.
The aircraft also brought back three Nigerian government officials who helped coordinate the evacuation. The returnees, including women, children and families, were received by airport officials after landing.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the latest flight increased the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to more than 1,500.
She said: “The last Federal Government-sponsored flight conveying our nationals home from South Africa as a result of the xenophobic protests and attacks on black migrants which have engulfed that country departed Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, this morning. Over 1,500 nationals have been evacuated. The number of evacuees on this flight is 308 nationals and three Nigerian officials. Our prayers are for a safe return.”
The minister thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the emergency evacuation, saying his decision helped protect Nigerians caught up in the attacks.
She said: “His decisive leadership and compassionate intervention in facilitating the successful airlift and safe return of Nigerians stranded in South Africa, imperilled by the spate of xenophobic incidents, no doubt saved many precious lives which could have been lost if not for this timely action.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also praised Nigerian diplomats in South Africa and Air Peace for supporting the evacuation operation.