By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Federal Government has completed the evacuation of 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa following a surge in xenophobic attacks, bringing to an end a month-long repatriation exercise conducted through seven separate flights.
The exercise, which began on June 11 and concluded on July 15, saw the government fund five Air Peace evacuation flights, while two additional emergency flights operated by South African Airways brought back more stranded Nigerians.
Spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the operation was coordinated in partnership with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Consulate-General in Johannesburg, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Port Health Services and other relevant agencies.
According to him, the collaboration ensured a seamless process covering the registration, departure and reception of returnees.
The ministry also expressed appreciation to Air Peace for what it described as the airline’s patriotism and commitment throughout the evacuation programme.
While reaffirming Nigeria’s long-standing diplomatic relationship with South Africa, the Federal Government condemned xenophobia, racial intolerance and attacks on foreign nationals, insisting such actions have no place in any society.
Ebienfa said Nigeria would continue engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels to promote the safety, security and peaceful coexistence of all residents.
He also advised Nigerians living abroad to remain law-abiding, register with the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission and maintain regular contact with embassy officials to facilitate timely assistance during emergencies.
A breakdown of the evacuation exercise showed that 258 Nigerians returned on the first Air Peace flight on June 10, while 66 evacuees arrived aboard the first emergency South African Airways flight on June 24.
Subsequent Air Peace flights evacuated 272 Nigerians on June 30, 268 on July 2, 282 on July 9, and 305 on July 15, while the second emergency South African Airways flight brought back 39 Nigerians on July 11.
The seven repatriation batches brought the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to 1,490, marking the conclusion of the Federal Government’s emergency response to the recent wave of xenophobic violence in the country.
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