First batch of evacuated Nigerians arrive in Lagos from South Africa

By Samuel Solomon

The first batch of Nigerians to be evacuated from South Africa over the latest xenophobic violence have arrived in Lagos.

The group, comprising 268 Nigerians, touched down at 10.30am at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Thursday, via Air Peace airlines.

The return flight was initially scheduled for Monday but was later moved to Wednesday over documentation delays.

Over 1,000 Nigerians are said to have expressed interest in returning home.

On Monday, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, minister of foreign affairs, said the “numbers keep increasing” after Nigeria’s high commission in Pretoria said it had “negotiated waivers with host authorities” so that those with “immigration-related offences” would be allowed to leave on the eventual repatriation flights rather than be detained.

Screening for interested nationals began last Thursday and was set to conclude on Saturday.

But in a statement on Wednesday, the ministry of foreign affairs said the screening exercise had been extended to Sunday “to accommodate more persons”.

“This underscores the priority accorded to the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas, which remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a core responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the statement reads.

The foreign ministry noted that the federal government, through relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), has put in place comprehensive reception, documentation, and support arrangements for the returnees.