Xenophobia: Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrive Lagos

The first batch of 262 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa have arrived safely in Lagos following recent anti-immigrant protests and renewed xenophobic violence targeting Nigerian nationals and other African migrants in several South African cities, including Johannesburg and Pretoria.

The evacuees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 10:15 a.m. on Thursday aboard an Air Peace aircraft.

The return flight is part of a coordinated evacuation effort by the Federal Government in response to growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians residing in South Africa following reports of violence and attacks on foreign-owned businesses and communities.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, was expected to receive the returnees upon arrival at the airport.

The Federal Government had earlier assured that it would continue to engage South African authorities to ensure the protection of Nigerians and prevent further escalation of tensions.