Second Batch of Nigerians Evacuated From South Africa Arrive in Lagos as Repatriation Continues

By Rose Graham

The Federal Government has successfully evacuated another group of Nigerians from South Africa as efforts continue to bring home citizens affected by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in the country.

The latest group of 66 returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday, marking the second phase of the ongoing evacuation exercise approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The repatriation follows renewed violence targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, prompting Nigerian authorities to coordinate the voluntary return of citizens who indicated their willingness to come home.

The latest arrivals come less than two weeks after the first batch of 258 Nigerians landed in Lagos aboard a chartered Air Peace flight on June 11, bringing the total number of evacuees returned so far to 324.

Government Confirms Continued Evacuation

Confirming the latest development, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the second phase of the evacuation involved 66 Nigerians who had registered to return home.

He noted that the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring the safe return of all Nigerians affected by the recent attacks.

The evacuation flight was facilitated by ValueJet, with the airline’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kunle Soname, providing support for the operation.

Officials from the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa also accompanied the returnees throughout the journey to Nigeria.

Tinubu Commended for Approving Evacuation

Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Commission’s Lagos Office Coordinator, Dipo Onabowale, commended President Tinubu for authorising the evacuation exercise.

According to him, challenges experienced during the first phase of the operation have been reviewed, with relevant government agencies working to improve subsequent evacuation efforts.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also assured Nigerians still in South Africa that evacuation arrangements will continue until every registered citizen wishing to return home has been assisted.

Support for Returning Nigerians

Beyond transportation, the Federal Government and other stakeholders are putting measures in place to assist the returnees as they settle back into Nigeria.

NiDCOM disclosed that Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has approved a support package of ₦1 million for each evacuee from Imo State who returned during the exercise.

The Commission described the intervention as part of broader efforts to help returning Nigerians rebuild their lives after the traumatic experiences that led to their evacuation.

Xenophobic Attacks Renew Concerns

The evacuation follows renewed reports of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, where foreign nationals have occasionally faced violence, intimidation and destruction of property during periods of social unrest.

Over the years, Nigerians have been among the foreign communities affected by such incidents, leading to repeated diplomatic engagements between both countries and periodic evacuation exercises.

The Federal Government has consistently urged Nigerians residing abroad to register with Nigerian diplomatic missions, saying such records make it easier to provide emergency assistance whenever the need arises.

With more registered citizens still awaiting evacuation, officials say additional arrangements are being made to ensure that every Nigerian who wishes to return home is safely repatriated.