A total of 268 Nigerians affected by the recent xenophobic protests in South Africa have arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as the Federal Government continues the voluntary evacuation of its citizens.
The returnees arrived in Lagos on Friday as part of the ongoing evacuation exercise coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Nigerians who voluntarily registered to return home following the attacks.
Officials of FAAN were on the ground to receive the returnees at the airport. Also present were officials of the NEMA, NiDCOM, Immigration as well as representatives of various state governments, who coordinated reception, documentation, and onward support for the evacuees.
Recall that, in a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson, said the latest batch would bring the government closer to concluding the evacuation of affected Nigerians who voluntarily opted to return home.
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The ministry had earlier disclosed that 593 Nigerians were successfully evacuated in previous operations. With the arrival of the latest 268 returnees, the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has now risen to 861.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare and safety of Nigerians abroad and pledged to continue working with relevant authorities to support citizens affected by the recent unrest.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
