Another batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has returned following recent anti-immigrant tensions and xenophobic attacks in parts of the country.
The 66 returnees who arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday night made up the second phase of an ongoing evacuation exercise approved by the Nigerian government to ensure the welfare of distressed citizens abroad.
The latest group arrived nearly two weeks after the first batch of 258 Nigerians was airlifted to Nigeria aboard a chartered Air Peace flight on 11 June.
The evacuation flight was facilitated by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ValueJet, Kunle Soname, while officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanied the returnees to Nigeria.
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Upon arrival, the returnees thanked President Tinubu for approving the evacuation and appreciated NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Ambassador Temitope Alexander Ajayi, and other stakeholders for facilitating their safe return.
Speaking on behalf of NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Head of NiDCOM’s Lagos Office, Mr Dipo Onabowale, commended President Tinubu for what he described as a citizen-focused response to the plight of Nigerians affected by the crisis.
According to him, challenges encountered during the initial evacuation phase are being addressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the leadership of Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
“All registered Nigerians who are willing to return home will be evacuated,” Onabowale said, citing assurances from the Foreign Affairs Minister.
Reintegration Support
To aid the reintegration process, several individuals and organisations announced support packages for the returnees.
Governor Hope Uzodinma donated ₦1 million each to Imo returnees, while MTN Nigeria provided free SIM packs, ₦50,000 data packages, and cash support. Pastor Bolaji Idowu also gave ₦100,000 to each returnee to aid resettlement.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and security agencies were present at the airport to receive, document, and provide necessary assistance to the evacuees.
The returnees expressed gratitude for the support received, while NiDCOM assured them that all Nigerians willing to return home would be evacuated and supported amid ongoing concerns over anti-immigrant attacks in South Africa.
