Tinubu Ends South Africa Evacuation as 308 More Nigerians Return Home Amid Xenophobic Attacks


 


By Abdulahi Musa 


The Federal Government has concluded the emergency evacuation of Nigerians affected by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with the arrival of the final government-sponsored flight carrying 308 returnees to Lagos.


The aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Wednesday morning. Also on board were three Nigerian government officials who coordinated the evacuation exercise.


With the arrival of the final batch, the Federal Government has successfully evacuated more than 1,500 Nigerians from South Africa under the emergency repatriation programme launched in response to the anti-migrant violence. 


Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the successful completion of the evacuation as a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu's commitment to protecting Nigerians wherever they reside.


She said the President's decision to extend the evacuation exercise beyond the June 30 deadline earlier issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa underscored his determination to safeguard the lives and welfare of Nigerian citizens.


According to the minister, the emergency rescue mission saved many Nigerians who were exposed to danger following the resurgence of xenophobic attacks targeting black migrants in parts of South Africa. 


Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the rescue operation and commended the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Consulate-General in Johannesburg, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Air Peace for ensuring the successful execution of the evacuation exercise.


She also welcomed the returnees and encouraged them to take advantage of government support programmes to aid their reintegration into society.


The evacuation programme was initiated after renewed anti-immigration protests and xenophobic attacks in South Africa forced hundreds of Nigerians to seek voluntary return to their home country. 

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