…More Evacuation Flights Underway, Says FG
BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The first batch of 258 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks arrived in Lagos on Thursday as the Federal Government intensified efforts to protect citizens affected by the unrest.
The returnees landed at the International Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard a special Air Peace flight at about 10:30 a.m.
They were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa led by Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Temitope Alexander Ajayi.
The evacuees, who voluntarily opted to return home amid growing concerns over their safety, were received by the Director-General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, alongside other government officials.
Speaking during the reception, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, said the evacuation reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare, safety and dignity of Nigerians living abroad.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria will not stand idly by while our citizens are subjected to attacks and harassment, wherever they may be in the world,” the minister said.
Enikanolaiye noted that the swift evacuation underscored Nigeria’s citizen-centred foreign policy and reassured Nigerians in the diaspora that their welfare remained a priority for the government.
He also commended the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for coordinating the evacuation exercise and urged Nigerians still residing in South Africa to remain law-abiding, vigilant and report any threats or incidents to the mission.
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government was engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels to ensure the protection of Nigerian nationals and address the underlying causes of the attacks.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the evacuation operation was coordinated in partnership with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and several government agencies, including the Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs, Aviation and Health, as well as the Nigeria Immigration Service and security agencies.
Officials said the operation demonstrated the government’s determination to safeguard Nigerian citizens and uphold their dignity in the face of violence and intolerance.
Upon arrival, the returnees were subjected to documentation, immigration clearance, profiling and medical screening procedures.
Government officials said temporary accommodation and other welfare services would be provided before the returnees are reunited with their families.
Sources at the airport also disclosed that each returnee would receive support packages, including ₦100,000 from the Federal Government and ₦50,000 airtime from MTN, while additional assistance is expected from state governments and non-governmental organisations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said additional evacuation flights would arrive in the coming days as efforts continue to assist Nigerians affected by the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
