FG Approves Free Evacuation of Over 1,000 Nigerians Amid South Africa Xenophobic Attacks

FG Approves Free Evacuation of Over 1,000 Nigerians Amid South Africa Xenophobic Attacks

The Federal Government has commenced plans to evacuate more than 1,000 Nigerians who have registered to return home from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks targeting citizens of several African countries.

The development marks a shift from an earlier position that required returnees to fund their own flights back to Nigeria. Authorities had previously disclosed that at least 300 Nigerians had expressed interest in returning home.

However, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, announced on Saturday that the Federal Government would bear the cost of transportation for all approved evacuees.

Mr Ebienfa said arrangements were underway to deploy aircraft to airlift the returnees, adding that the screening exercise for registered Nigerians in South Africa was expected to be completed on Saturday.

“The process, which commenced on June 4, is a joint exercise involving the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation, as well as the South African Police and immigration authorities,” NAN quoted Mr Ebienfa as saying.

“At the end of the screening, we will have a definite number of persons cleared for evacuation.

“Thereafter, we will finalise arrangements for the deployment of aircraft to bring them home,” he added.

Also speaking, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed that more than 1,000 Nigerians had already undergone screening for the voluntary repatriation programme.

According to her, the exercise is being jointly conducted by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs.

“The turnout at the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria has been truly impressive.

“The screening started early on Saturday, and Nigerians came out in large numbers to participate in the process.

“In spite of the emotional atmosphere surrounding the prevailing tensions and uncertainty, the exercise has been smooth, peaceful, organised, and highly professional under the supervision of Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Olatunde Ajayi.

“More than 1,000 Nigerians have registered for the voluntary evacuation, and many more are still registering,” she said.

Mrs Dabiri-Erewa further revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved funds for the evacuation exercise.

“All things being equal, the flights are expected to commence next week through Air Peace, as President Bola Tinubu has approved funds for that purpose,” she said.

She added that five flights would be deployed for the exercise, with the first batch of evacuees expected to arrive in Nigeria next week.