The first batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks has arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The Air Peace flight conveying the returnees touched down at approximately 10:25 a.m. on Thursday, bringing home 268 Nigerians affected by the violence and growing anti-foreigner sentiment in parts of South Africa.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, was among top government officials on hand to receive the evacuees. They were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, led by the Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Temitope Ajayi.
Addressing the returnees, Enikanolaiye reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, stressing that the country would not stand by while its citizens face attacks, intimidation, or harassment anywhere in the world.
He said the evacuation was a necessary and timely intervention aimed at ensuring the safety and welfare of affected Nigerians.
In a statement issued after the arrival of the evacuees, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, quoted the minister as commending the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for its effective coordination of the evacuation exercise.
Enikanolaiye also urged Nigerians still residing in South Africa to remain law-abiding, stay vigilant, and promptly report any threats or incidents to the Nigerian Mission.
According to him, the Federal Government remains actively engaged with South African authorities at the highest diplomatic levels to ensure the protection of Nigerian nationals and address the underlying causes of the attacks.
The minister conveyed the goodwill and assurances of President Bola Tinubu to the returnees, emphasizing that their safety and dignity remain a priority for the government.
“No Nigerian should live in fear simply because of their nationality. This evacuation does not signify defeat; rather, it reflects the proactive and citizen-focused foreign policy of the Tinubu administration,” the statement said.
The ministry added that additional evacuation flights are expected in the coming days as efforts continue to assist Nigerians willing to return home.
Upon arrival, the evacuees began documentation, profiling, and medical screening procedures. The government said temporary accommodation and other support services would be provided before they are reunited with their families.
The evacuation comes amid weeks of anti-foreigner violence in South Africa, where groups armed with sticks, whips, and shields have reportedly marched through several communities demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country by June 30.
Foreign nationals have reported incidents of intimidation, assault, and forced displacement, with many families fleeing their homes amid escalating threats.
Several African countries, including Ghana, Mozambique, and Malawi, have already repatriated hundreds of their citizens in response to the unrest.
South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised economy, is home to more than three million foreign nationals, representing just over five per cent of its population, according to official statistics.
