FG ends S’Africa evacuation with final airlift of 308 Nigerians

The Nigerian government has concluded its emergency evacuation of citizens from South Africa, with the final flight carrying 308 returnees arriving in Lagos on Wednesday. This operation marks the end of a government-sponsored effort to bring home Nigerians affected by recent xenophobic attacks.

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The last Federal Government-sponsored flight conveying our nationals home from South Africa as a result of the xenophobic protests and attacks on black migrants which have engulfed that country departed Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, this morning… Over 1,500 nationals have been evacuated. The number of evacuees on this flight is 308 nationals and three Nigerian officials. Our prayers are for a safe return.

The aircraft landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where exhausted but relieved passengers, including families, were received by officials. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed that the latest batch pushed the total number of evacuated Nigerians to over 1,500.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for approving the emergency airlift, stating that his intervention was crucial in saving lives and demonstrating the government's commitment to its citizens abroad. She highlighted that the evacuation continued beyond an initial deadline set by anti-migrant groups in South Africa, underscoring the President's dedication to national welfare.

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His decisive leadership and compassionate intervention in facilitating the successful airlift and safe return of Nigerians stranded in South Africa, imperilled by the spate of xenophobic incidents, no doubt saved many precious lives which could have been lost if not for this timely action.

The evacuation was initiated in response to widespread protests and attacks targeting migrants in South Africa. The government's swift action aimed to protect Nigerians endangered by the xenophobic incidents.

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His extension of the evacuation exercise even beyond the June 30 deadline issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa speaks volumes about his unwavering commitment to the welfare of our nationals in crisis situations.