The third batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in Lagos following weeks of anti-immigration protests and xenophobic tensions in the country.
The evacuees arrived aboard an Air Peace aircraft, which landed at the cargo terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, at about 10:54 a.m. yesterday.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the number is in addition to 66 others that arrived via South African Airways and facilitated by a good-spirited Nigerian on June 24.
“The batch of 269 evacuees, escorted by officials of the Nigerian mission in South Africa, were officially received at the airport by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by the Director, African Affairs Department, Amb. Haruna Ali-Gombe.
“He conveyed the heartfelt greetings and assurances of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the returning nationals, reaffirming the Federal Government’s steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety of Nigerian nationals living outside the country.
“With the June 30 deadline on undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa, the federal government wishes to reiterate the fact that the evacuation process is still on course,” Ebienfa said.
It was reportedthat the first batch – 258 Nigerians – was received on June 11, bringing the total number, as at June 30, to 593.
Ebienfa added that more flights were being expected in the country in the next few days to evacuate all Nigerians already screened and cleared to voluntarily return home.
According to him, the federal government will continue to engage South African authorities at the highest level to ensure protection of Nigerian nationals living in the country.
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