The Federal Government has concluded the evacuation of Nigerians affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with the arrival of the final government-sponsored flight carrying 308 returnees.
The aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday morning, bringing home the last batch of evacuees alongside three Nigerian government officials who coordinated the exercise.
Airport officials received the returnees, which included women, children and entire families, many of whom appeared exhausted but relieved after their journey.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed that the latest flight raised the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to more than 1,500.
She explained that the final evacuation flight departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning, marking the completion of the Federal Government’s emergency rescue operation.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the evacuation, describing the intervention as timely and lifesaving for many Nigerians caught up in the wave of xenophobic violence.
She said the President’s decision to extend the evacuation exercise beyond the June 30 deadline earlier issued by anti-migrant groups demonstrated his commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians living abroad.
The minister also commended the Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa, particularly officials at the High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate-General in Johannesburg, for coordinating the operation.
She equally praised Air Peace for partnering with the Federal Government to transport the stranded Nigerians back home.
The evacuation followed weeks of xenophobic protests and attacks targeting black migrants in parts of South Africa, prompting the Nigerian government to launch an emergency airlift to ensure the safe return of its citizens.
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