FG evacuates 593 Nigerians from South Africa, three more flights to bring home 700 others

…as 271 returnees arrive Lagos today

The Federal Government has evacuated 593 Nigerians from South Africa following the recent wave of xenophobic protests in the country, with three additional evacuation flights scheduled to bring home about 700 more citizens in the coming days.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, its spokesperson, saying the evacuation exercise was progressing successfully despite initial logistical challenges.

According to the ministry, the first batch of 258 evacuees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a special Air Peace flight on June 11.

The returnees were received by Sola Enikanolaiye, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Federal Government before being handed over to relevant government agencies for documentation and profiling.

The ministry explained that logistical difficulties delayed the second evacuation flight, forcing some stranded Nigerians to remain temporarily at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, where they were accommodated and cared for.

It added that during the period, a Nigerian philanthropist voluntarily sponsored the airfare of 66 stranded citizens, who returned to Lagos on June 24 aboard a South African Airways flight.

The second government-arranged evacuation flight subsequently landed in Lagos on June 30 with 269 returnees, bringing the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to 593.

The ministry assured Nigerians that evacuation efforts were continuing and that three additional flights had been scheduled to ensure every Nigerian who voluntarily registered, and had been screened and cleared, returned home safely.

It said about 700 more Nigerians are expected to be evacuated, with the third batch of 271 returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Friday, July 3.

The ministry also dismissed allegations that officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa demanded payment from stranded citizens before including them on evacuation lists.

It stressed that all evacuation flights were fully funded by the Federal Government and that no returnee was required to pay for transportation.

The clarification, the ministry said, became necessary following what it described as false insinuations and fake news alleging that mission officials were extorting stranded Nigerians seeking evacuation.

“The special evacuation flights are fully paid for by the Federal Government and at no cost to the returnees,” the ministry stated, urging Nigerians to disregard the claims.

It commended the collaboration among relevant ministries, departments and agencies involved in the evacuation exercise, describing the coordinated response as critical to its success.

The ministry noted that the evacuation operation reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians living abroad and ensuring they receive timely support during emergencies.

It reaffirmed that the welfare and safety of Nigerians overseas remain a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy, adding that the government would continue to provide assistance, dignity and care to citizens affected by crises in foreign countries.