THE federal government’s final repatriation flight from South Africa has landed in Lagos with 308 Nigerians on board, bringing to an end the evacuation exercise launched in response to recent xenophobic attacks and security concerns in parts of the country.
News Point Nigeria reports that the aircraft, which also conveyed three government officials, touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
The arrival of the final batch marked the conclusion of the exercise, during which more than 1,500 Nigerians were repatriated from South Africa.
Reacting to the successful completion of the evacuation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, praised President Bola Tinubu for what she described as his decisive leadership and compassionate intervention in facilitating the return of Nigerians stranded in South Africa.
According to the minister, Tinubu’s swift action helped avert further casualties amid the wave of xenophobic incidents that prompted the evacuation.
“President Bola Tinubu’s decisive leadership and compassionate intervention in facilitating the successful airlift and safe return of Nigerians stranded in South Africa imperiled by the spate of xenophobic incidents no doubt saved many precious lives which could have been lost if not for this timely action,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further commended the President for extending the evacuation exercise beyond the June 30 deadline earlier issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa.
“His extension of the evacuation exercise even beyond the June 30 deadline issued by Anti-migrant groups in South Africa speaks volumes about his unwavering commitment to the welfare of our Nationals in crisis situations,” she added.
The minister also welcomed the returnees home and expressed appreciation to Nigerian officials in South Africa for their efforts in coordinating and ensuring the success of the evacuation operation.
