Sixty-six Nigerian returnees evacuated from South Africa have arrived in Lagos under the Federal Government’s ongoing voluntary repatriation programme following xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants in parts of the country.
The evacuation exercise was approved by President Bola Tinubu as part of efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad.
The returnees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, yesterday at about 9:05 p.m. aboard South African Airways flight SA60, marking the second batch in the current evacuation exercise two weeks after 258 Nigerians were repatriated via a chartered Air Peace flight.
The second batch was facilitated by the Chairman/CEO of ValueJet, Otunba Soname, with officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanying the returnees.
Upon arrival, the returnees, comprising men, women, and children, were received by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
Immediately after arrival, the returnees underwent profiling, documentation, and medical screening. Security agencies were on ground to ensure orderly processing, while logistics support was provided to transport them to their respective states of origin.
Officials also confirmed that arrangements are ongoing for the return of other registered Nigerians still awaiting evacuation.
In addition, support and reintegration measures were provided for the returnees. Imo State indigenes received ₦1,000,000 each, courtesy of Governor Hope Uzodinma.
MTN Nigeria provided free SIM packs with data worth ₦50,000, as well as ₦100,000 credited to each returnee’s bank accounts while pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters International Christian Centre also donated ₦100,000 to each returnee.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dipo Onabowale commended President Tinubu for what he described as citizen-centred leadership in ensuring the safe return of Nigerians.
He noted that logistical challenges experienced after the first evacuation are being addressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has assured that all registered Nigerians will be evacuated.
The returnees expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention, as well as to Soname, the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, and the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
They also commended NEMA, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, FAAN, NIS, and other agencies for their support during the evacuation and reception process.
The returnees described the intervention, donations, and reception as a demonstration of government commitment to the welfare of Nigerians abroad.