The Nigerian government has successfully brought back 66 citizens from South Africa, marking the second phase of an evacuation program initiated due to recent xenophobic incidents. These returnees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at approximately 8:50 p.m. on the previous evening.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the arrival of this second group. This flight follows the initial return of 258 Nigerians on June 11, who were transported by an Air Peace charter. The current operation was supported by ValueJet CEO Kunle Soname, with logistics managed by the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa.
Dipo Onabowale, representing the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for sanctioning the rescue mission. Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated that the government remains committed to bringing home any other registered Nigerians who wish to leave South Africa.
To assist with reintegration, several aid packages were provided. Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State pledged N1 million to each returnee from his state, while MTN Nigeria distributed SIM cards along with N50,000 in data and N100,000 in cash to every individual. Additionally, Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters International Christian Centre gifted N100,000 to each person. The returnees thanked President Tinubu and various government officials for their safe repatriation as they were processed by agencies including NEMA and the Nigeria Immigration Service.
