THE Federal Government has announced the successful repatriation of 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa following an upsurge in xenophobic violence in the country.
News Point Nigeria reports that the evacuation exercise, which commenced on June 11, was concluded on Wednesday after seven batches of returnees were flown back to Nigeria.
Although the Federal Government funded five evacuation flights, two additional batches returned to the country under emergency arrangements, bringing the total number of repatriation flights to seven.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, provided details of the evacuation programme.
Ebienfa said the ministry worked closely with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), port health services and other relevant agencies to coordinate the operation from registration and departure to the reception of returnees in Nigeria.
“The Federal Government expresses profound appreciation to Air Peace Limited for its continued patriotism and partnership and support throughout the evacuation programme,” the statement read.
While reaffirming Nigeria’s longstanding bilateral relationship with South Africa, Ebienfa stressed that the Federal Government remained firm in its opposition to xenophobia, racial intolerance and violence against foreign nationals.
He added that Nigeria would continue to engage constructively with South African authorities through diplomatic channels to promote the safety, security and peaceful coexistence of all residents.
The ministry also urged Nigerians living abroad to remain law-abiding, register with the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission and maintain regular communication with Nigerian missions to facilitate prompt assistance whenever necessary.
Ebienfa further released the timeline of the evacuation exercise, which involved both scheduled and emergency flights.
The first batch of returnees arrived on June 10 aboard an Air Peace flight carrying 258 Nigerians.
On June 24, South African Airways operated the first emergency flight, which brought back 66 returnees.
A second Air Peace flight on June 30 evacuated 272 Nigerians, while the airline’s third flight on July 2 transported another 268 returnees.
The fourth Air Peace evacuation flight arrived on July 9 with 282 Nigerians.
South African Airways subsequently operated a second emergency flight on July 11, bringing home 39 Nigerians.
The final batch of evacuees arrived on July 15 aboard Air Peace, with 305 Nigerians on board.
In total, 1,490 Nigerians were repatriated from South Africa under the exercise.