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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

271 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrive Lagos

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • 271 Nigerians have been evacuated from South Africa and arrived in Lagos.
  • The repatriation is part of the Nigerian government's voluntary program amid rising anti-immigration tensions in South Africa.
  • This brings the total evacuated to 599, with more expected depending on the situation.

A total of 271 Nigerians voluntarily evacuated from South Africa arrived in Lagos on Tuesday. The Air Peace flight landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport after departing Johannesburg.

Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission were present to receive the returnees. This evacuation is part of the Nigerian government's ongoing efforts to assist citizens wishing to return home due to increasing anti-immigration sentiments in South Africa.

The repatriation comes ahead of a reported June 30 deadline issued by vigilante groups for undocumented migrants to leave the country. President Bola Tinubu had previously approved the voluntary evacuation program for Nigerians willing to return. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that five Air Peace flights were approved after over 500 Nigerians registered.

The return flight is scheduled to depart South Africa at 12:00 midnight and is expected to arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning. This will bring home 271 additional Nigerians who have volunteered to return.

— Kimiebi EbienfaSpokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming the evacuation details.

Before this latest batch, 328 Nigerians had already been evacuated in two previous flights. The ministry's spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the flight details, stating that an additional 700 Nigerians could be evacuated depending on the situation on the ground. Air Peace spokesperson, Efe Osifo-Whiskey, also confirmed the airline's readiness, though the flight experienced delays.

Meanwhile, security was heightened in parts of South Africa, with police maintaining a visible presence in major cities amidst anti-immigration demonstrations. Many businesses remained closed in Johannesburg as commuters went about their daily activities.

The aircraft has not departed yet. They will let me know when it is time, but I do not know the reason for the delay. We are looking at evacuating 271 people, but let us see what happens when they arrive in Lagos.

— Mr Efe Osifo-WhiskeyAir Peace spokesperson commenting on the flight's departure status.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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