FG: No Nigerian will be left behind in South Africa, says 859 evacuated

The Nigerian Federal Government has pledged that no Nigerian citizen wishing to return from South Africa will be left behind, following recent xenophobic attacks. President Bola Tinubu has ordered the safe evacuation of all affected individuals. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that 859 Nigerians have been evacuated so far, with additional flights approved to bring more citizens home. Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa stated that the evacuation exercise has progressed significantly, with four additional flights secured. While one flight was delayed due to a technical issue with an Air Peace aircraft, Ebienfa assured that the operation is fully funded by the Federal Government and is free of charge for evacuees. He dismissed reports suggesting otherwise. Nigerians displaced by the attacks were provided temporary accommodation and welfare support at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria while awaiting evacuation. A Nigerian philanthropist also independently sponsored the return of 66 individuals on commercial flights.

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We secured approval for four additional flights. Two have already been operated. We expected another flight today, but the Air Peace aircraft deployed to Johannesburg developed a technical fault after its cockpit windscreen cracked, making it unsafe for the operation.