South Africa crackdown: FG evacuates 335 Nigerians, steps up diplomatic engagement

The Federal Government on Tuesday assured Nigerian citizens residing in South Africa of their continued safety, promising sustained high-level diplomatic engagements with South African authorities to protect their interests.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gave the assurance in a statement issued in Abuja to mark the arrival of the second batch of Nigerian evacuees from Johannesburg.

The evacuation coincides with the June 30 deadline imposed by South African authorities for undocumented foreigners to exit the country.

According to Mr Ebienfa, the second evacuation flight, operated by Air Peace, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 10:48 a.m. on Tuesday with 269 returnees.

This brings the total number of recent evacuees to 335, following the June 24 repatriation of 66 Nigerians via South African Airways, which was facilitated by a private citizen.

The statement noted that the 269 returnees were escorted by officials from the Nigerian Mission in South Africa and received in Lagos by a federal delegation led by Amb. Haruna Ali-Gombe, Director of the African Affairs Department.

“Ali-Gombe conveyed the heartfelt greetings and assurances of President Bola Tinubu to the returning nationals, reaffirming the Federal Government’s steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety of Nigerian nationals living outside the country,’’ Ebienfa said.

The spokesperson added that the voluntary repatriation exercise remains on course, with more flights expected in the coming days to evacuate other successfully screened and cleared Nigerian nationals. (NAN)