By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Following the successful repatriation of 1,516 vulnerable Nigerians from South Africa, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it has concluded the reception and onward movement arrangements for the returnees after the five-week voluntary exercise.
The repatriation exercise, which ran from June 11 to July 15, 2026, saw the returnees arrive in seven batches through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, aboard Air Peace and South African Airways flights.
According to a statement issued by its Press Unit, signed by Manzo Ezekiel on Friday, NEMA said the operation was carried out in collaboration with relevant government agencies and partners to ensure the safe, orderly and dignified return of the affected Nigerians.
“The voluntary repatriation exercise was undertaken by the Federal Government through the coordinated efforts of NEMA and other relevant stakeholders,” the agency said.
NEMA listed the participating agencies to include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and other partners.
Others involved were the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Port Health Services, security agencies and MTN, which supported the successful completion of the exercise.
The ministry of foreign affairs earlier reported that the first batch of 258 returnees arrived on June 11, 2026, aboard Air Peace, while the second batch of 66 Nigerians returned on June 24 through South African Airways.
Accordingly, the third batch, comprising 298 returnees, arrived on June 30, followed by the fourth batch of 266 Nigerians on July 3 aboard Air Peace.
The fifth batch of 284 returnees arrived on July 9, while the sixth batch of 39 Nigerians returned on July 10 through South African Airways.
The seventh and final batch, consisting of 305 returnees, arrived on July 15, bringing the total number of Nigerians voluntarily repatriated from South Africa to 1,516.
NEMA said it played a leading operational role throughout the exercise by coordinating the reception of the returnees and facilitating arrangements for their onward transportation to various destinations alongside partner agencies.
The agency said its Lagos Operations Office, led by the Head of Operations on behalf of the Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, handled the reception, processing and onward movement of the returnees.
NEMA commended all stakeholders whose collaboration contributed to the successful completion of the humanitarian operation and reaffirmed its commitment to providing support during evacuations and other humanitarian interventions.
It said the exercise was carried out in line with its statutory mandate of coordinating disaster management and humanitarian assistance in Nigeria.