The Federal Government of Nigeria has evacuated a second batch of 66 Nigerians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks.
The returnees arrived at the Lagos international airport on Wednesday night as part of the government’s ongoing evacuation exercise approved by President Bola Tinubu in response to the recent violence targeting foreigners in South Africa.
The latest evacuation follows the first batch of 258 Nigerians who returned on June 11 aboard a chartered flight operated by Air Peace.
Speaking in Lagos, Dipo Onabowale, representing the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the second evacuation was made possible through the support of Kunle Soname, Chairman and CEO of ValueJet, with officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanying the evacuees.
Onabowale praised Tinubu for authorising the evacuation and noted that the government was working to resolve logistical challenges encountered during the first phase.
He also disclosed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had assured that all Nigerians registered in South Africa would be brought back home.
BACKSTORY:
The evacuation follows renewed xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have faced attacks, harassment, and destruction of property in recent weeks.
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Xenophobic violence in South Africa has been a recurring issue for years, often fueled by economic hardship, unemployment, and anti-immigrant sentiments. Nigerians have frequently been among those affected, prompting diplomatic concerns between both countries.
In response to the latest incidents, the Federal Government of Nigeria approved an evacuation process to bring stranded citizens back home, with the first batch of over 200 evacuees already returned earlier this month.
The latest batch forms part of that ongoing effort, as authorities continue working to ensure the safe return of all Nigerians who have registered for evacuation.
