The Federal Government has announced that the first batch of Nigerians being repatriated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks will arrive in Lagos on Thursday morning.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the evacuation flight is expected to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 5:00 a.m.
The flight, operated by Air Peace, is scheduled to depart O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night.
Ebienfa stated that the Federal Government has fully funded the repatriation exercise and has made adequate arrangements to receive and support the returnees upon arrival.
“Upon arrival, the evacuees will undergo documentation and profiling procedures and will receive the necessary assistance and support before being reunited with their families,” the statement said.
The repatriation flight was initially scheduled to depart on Monday but was rescheduled to Wednesday due to what the ministry described as unforeseen logistical challenges.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had earlier explained that the delay was necessary to allow for the completion of documentation and screening processes in collaboration with South African authorities.
She disclosed that more than 1,000 Nigerians residing in South Africa participated in the screening exercise, noting that the number of prospective returnees continues to increase.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria revealed that it secured waivers from South African authorities to enable Nigerians with immigration-related infractions to return home through the repatriation programme rather than face detention.
At least 270 Nigerians are expected to arrive in the first batch of evacuees.
The evacuation exercise is being coordinated by the Federal Government in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies as efforts continue to ensure the safe return of affected citizens.
