270 Nigerians repatriated from South Africa are expected in Lagos on Thursday as the Federal Government intensifies evacuation efforts

The Federal Government has concluded arrangements to repatriate at least 270 Nigerians from South Africa, with the first batch of evacuees expected to arrive in Lagos on Thursday following recent xenophobic attacks in parts of the country.

Also read: Nigeria condemns South Africa’s weak xenophobia response

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

According to the ministry, the returnees will be transported aboard an Air Peace flight scheduled to depart Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday night.

The aircraft is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 5 a.m. on Thursday.

Ebienfa said the Federal Government is fully funding the evacuation exercise and has put in place arrangements to receive and support the returnees upon arrival.

The ministry stated that the evacuees would undergo documentation and profiling procedures before receiving appropriate assistance ahead of reunification with their families.

The repatriation exercise was initially scheduled to begin on Monday but was postponed until Wednesday due to logistical challenges.

Providing further details, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the delay was necessary to allow authorities complete documentation and screening processes in collaboration with South African officials.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed that more than 1,000 Nigerians had already participated in the screening exercise, noting that the number of citizens seeking voluntary repatriation continues to increase.

The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria also confirmed that discussions with South African authorities led to important concessions for some affected Nigerians.

According to the mission, waivers were secured for individuals facing immigration-related offences, enabling them to leave South Africa through the repatriation programme rather than face detention.

The evacuation operation is being coordinated by the National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant government agencies.

The latest move follows mounting concerns over attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, prompting Nigerian authorities to facilitate the voluntary return of citizens who wish to leave the country.

The Federal Government has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians living in South Africa while continuing diplomatic engagements with the South African government to address the situation.