The first batch of Nigerians being repatriated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals has arrived in Lagos.
The 268 returnees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, at about 10:30 a.m. on Thursday aboard an Air Peace evacuation flight arranged by the Federal Government
The return flight was initially scheduled for Monday but was later moved to Wednesday over documentation delays.
Over 1,000 Nigerians are said to have expressed interest in returning home.
The minister of foreign affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu had said the “numbers keep increasing” after Nigeria’s high commission in Pretoria said it had “negotiated waivers with host authorities” so that those with “immigration-related offences” would be allowed to leave on the eventual repatriation flights rather than be detained.
Screening for interested nationals began last Thursday and was set to conclude on Saturday.
But in a statement on Wednesday, the ministry of foreign affairs said the screening exercise had been extended to Sunday “to accommodate more persons”.
“This underscores the priority accorded to the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas, which remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a core responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the statement reads.
The foreign ministry noted that the federal government, through relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), has put in place comprehensive reception, documentation, and support arrangements for the returnees
The evacuation is part of the Nigerian Government’s response to the latest wave of anti-immigrant violence that has swept across parts of South Africa, forcing thousands of African migrants to flee for safety.