The Federal Government has received the first batch of Nigerian nationals evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants in parts of the country.
The evacuation was ordered by President Bola Tinubu as part of the Citizen Diplomacy pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which places the protection and welfare of Nigerians abroad at the forefront of the country’s foreign policy.
The 262 Nigerian nationals and three government officials arrived aboard an Air Peace evacuation flight funded by the Federal Government at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday, where they were received by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
The aircraft departed from O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, bringing home citizens who considered their lives and safety to be at risk due to the continued xenophobic attacks.
Confirming their arrival, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, said the Federal Government, working through relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, had put in place the necessary reception and support arrangements to assist the returnees before they are reunited with their families.
Describing the occasion as deeply emotional, Ojukwu acknowledged the trauma and hardship endured by the evacuees and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of all Nigerians, regardless of where they reside.
She also noted that efforts to protect and assist Nigerians abroad remain ongoing, disclosing that she is currently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, finalising arrangements for the transfer of more than 100 Nigerian prisoners to serve the remainder of their sentences in Nigeria under existing bilateral frameworks.
Welcoming the returnees, the Federal Government assured them that their homeland stands ready to support them as they begin a new chapter, emphasising that the preservation of life and the safety of their families remain paramount. The Government also reiterated its resolve to continue safeguarding the interests and dignity of Nigerians across the world.