282 more Nigerians evacuated from South Africa

Another batch of 282 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday night aboard an Air Peace flight, bringing the total number of returnees under the Federal Government's voluntary evacuation programme to 1,141.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.

According to the statement, the latest group of evacuees arrived on the fourth evacuation flight operated by Air Peace. “The fourth evacuation flight from South Africa operated by Air Peace arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, today with 282 returnees,” the statement read.

Nigerians evacuated from South Africa 

Ebienfa disclosed that the fifth and final evacuation flight is expected to arrive in Nigeria next week.

The Federal Government launched the voluntary evacuation programme in June following renewed anti-immigration protests and attacks on foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.

282 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa

More than 1,000 Nigerians registered for the exercise, which is fully funded by the Federal Government and coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urged Nigerians affected by the unrest to prioritise their safety over their property. “The price of your peace, and the safety of your children is not worth any sacrifices you have to make, or any assets you have to leave behind when fleeing a conflict zone or hate-infested environment,” she said.

282 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrive in Lagos 

The House of Representatives has also condemned the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, describing them as unacceptable, and urged the Federal Government to adopt stronger diplomatic measures if the attacks persist.