Last Batch of Nigerians Evacuated from South Africa Arrives Lagos

Forty stranded Nigerians returned to the country from South Africa on Friday night as the Federal Government completed the sixth phase of its evacuation programme. The group landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard a chartered Air Peace flight, bringing the total number of citizens brought home under the latest exercise to 1,174.

The evacuation was coordinated by the Federal Government through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). Earlier flights had transported 258, 266, 262, 282 and 66 Nigerians back to the country using Air Peace and ValueJet before the final group of 40 arrived.

After arriving in Lagos, the returnees thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the evacuation. They also appreciated the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Acting Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi, and NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for their roles in making the operation successful.

The returnees received support from government agencies and private organisations during their arrival. NiDCOM announced that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma provided ₦1 million each to returnees from the state. MTN also distributed free SIM cards with data worth ₦50,000 and pledged to credit every returnee with ₦100,000.

Officials from the Edo and Delta State governments also promised assistance to their citizens. In addition, the JAAL Foundation announced plans to support 50 female returnees through empowerment programmes.

Omega Power Ministries Worldwide, led by Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinwe, offered free accommodation to about 52 returnees, along with skills training opportunities for families and free education for their children up to university level. Harvesters Church, through Pastor Bolaji Idowu, donated ₦100,000 each to 66 returnees, while real estate company Cruxstone also provided financial support to those brought back in the first phase of the evacuation.

Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the National Identity Management Commission and other security agencies were present to receive and document the returnees.

The evacuees expressed gratitude for the warm reception and the financial and welfare support provided after arriving in Nigeria.