Nigerian Govt Repatriates 268 Citizens from South Africa Amid Xenophobia

In a significant move to ensure the safety of its citizens, the Nigerian government has successfully repatriated 268 Nigerians from South Africa. The returnees, who were affected by the recent xenophobic attacks in the country, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday. They were flown in on an Air Peace flight, which was arranged by the Federal Government as part of its efforts to evacuate Nigerians from South Africa. The evacuation exercise was initially scheduled to take place on Monday but was delayed due to documentation and processing issues. It eventually took off on Wednesday. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had earlier stated that over 1,000 Nigerians had indicated their willingness to leave South Africa and return to Nigeria. The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria has been working closely with the South African authorities to facilitate the return of affected citizens, including those with unresolved immigration concerns. To ensure a smooth process, the Nigerian Mission in South Africa had commenced the screening and documentation of intending returnees. The exercise, which was initially scheduled to end over the weekend, was later extended to accommodate the growing number of applicants. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the extension reflected the government's commitment to protecting the welfare and interests of Nigerians abroad. The arrival of the first batch of returnees marks the beginning of a broader effort by the government to assist Nigerians affected by the unrest and ensure their safe return home.