The Federal Government has announced the itinerary for the arrival of the first batch of Nigerian citizens being repatriated from South Africa.
The Nigerians are fleeing ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Issuing a formal update on Tuesday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed that the returnees will touch down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday morning.
According to the official flight itinerary, the flight will depart from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night. Following the overnight journey, the evacuation flight is scheduled to touch down in Lagos at exactly 5:00 a.m. on Thursday morning.
This repatriation effort directly fulfills the Federal Government’s recent commitment to establish a safe, fully funded pathway home for citizens currently residing in South Africa who wish to return.
Additionally, the Nigerian government expressed dissatisfaction with the South African government on the attacks.
BACKSTORY…
This comes few weeks after the Nigerian Consulate in South Africa, along with the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa extended a free repatriation flight to Nigerians wishing to return home permanently amid the rising xenophobia crisis.
Speaking to PUNCH, NICASA President Frank Onyekwelu admitted that many Nigerians have been forced to close their stores and enterprises due to the circumstances.
He said, “The Nigerian Consulate in conjunction with NICASA has offered a free repatriation flight to any Nigerian who wishes to leave South Africa permanently, and the process is ongoing as we have recorded many Nigerians signalling interest to return home.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians in South Africa have narrated their harrowing ordeals.
They bemoaned the fact that their safety, livelihoods, and mental health were still in danger due to the ongoing violence.
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