The Federal Government has rescheduled the evacuation of the first batch of Nigerian citizens seeking to return from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks targeting Black foreigners in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
According to him, the initial airlifting exercise scheduled for Monday has been moved to Wednesday due to unforeseen logistical challenges.
President Bola Tinubu had approved five evacuation flights to be operated by Nigeria’s private carrier, Air Peace.
Ebienfa said the first flight is expected to convey about 270 passengers from Johannesburg on Wednesday evening, pending the completion of all necessary permits and clearances.
He also confirmed that the screening of Nigerians willing to be evacuated has been extended to Wednesday.
“I received confirmation from our mission in Pretoria that the screening exercise of Nigerian nationals who have indicated interest to be evacuated back home has been extended to Wednesday,” he said.
“So far, more than 500 persons have been screened and cleared.”
The evacuation exercise follows a renewed wave of xenophobic violence in parts of South Africa targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
