Another 83 Nigerians have returned to Nigeria from South Africa following reported xenophobic attacks, bringing the number of Nigerians repatriated under the ongoing voluntary return exercise to about 1,573, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.
The latest batch arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg on Wednesday, according to the ministry.
The returnees were accompanied by two officials of the Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg as they made their way back amid concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed the development in a statement, saying the latest repatriation was facilitated through funds provided by private individuals who paid for the returnees’ air tickets.
The arrangement enabled the 83 Nigerians to return voluntarily as efforts continue to assist citizens seeking to leave South Africa.
The returnees were received at the Lagos airport by the Director of the African Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe, who welcomed them on behalf of the Federal Government.
Their arrival forms part of the government’s continuing response to the reported xenophobic attacks and the concerns raised over the welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.
Following their arrival, the returnees were handed over to relevant government agencies for documentation and profiling. The agencies are expected to complete the necessary processes before the returnees are reunited with their families, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, private sponsors, and government agencies involved in the repatriation and reintegration process. It also acknowledged the role played by those who provided financial support for the latest return exercise.
Ebienfa said that the Federal Government remains committed to the welfare and safe return of Nigerian citizens abroad. The ministry’s position comes as the voluntary return programme continues to facilitate the movement of Nigerians who choose to leave South Africa following reported incidents of xenophobic attacks.
With the latest 83 returnees, the total number of Nigerians brought back to the country under the voluntary return exercise has risen to about 1,573.
