Xenophobic attacks: Second evacuation flight arrives Lagos

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received another batch of Nigerians evacuated from the Republic of South Africa due to xenophobic attacks. 

The second evacuation flight from Johannesburg, operated by Air Peace, arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos at 10:48am on Tuesday with 269 returnees. 

This is contained in a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

According to Ebienfa, the number is in addition to 66 others that arrived via South African Airways and facilitated by a good-spirited Nigerian on June 24.

“The batch of 269 evacuees, escorted by officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, were officially received at the airport by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by the Director, African Affairs Department, Amb. Haruna Ali-Gombe.

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

“With the June 30 deadline on undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa, the Federal Government wishes to reiterate the fact that the evacuation process is still on course,” Ebienfa said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the first batch – 258 Nigerians –  was received on June 11, bringing the total number, as at June 30, to 593.

Ebienfa added that more flights were being expected in the country in the next few days to evacuate all Nigerians already screened and cleared to voluntarily return home.

According to him, the Federal Government will continue to engage South African authorities at the highest level to ensure protection of Nigerian nationals living in the country.