1,134 Stranded Nigerians Evacuated from South Africa as Fifth Batch Arrives Lagos

The fifth batch of stranded Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, bringing the total number of returnees airlifted to 1,134.

The latest group of 282 Nigerians landed at about 7:35 p.m. on Thursday aboard an Air Peace flight and was received by officials of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), alongside other government agencies.

According to a statement by NiDCOM’s Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the latest evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to facilitate the safe return of willing Nigerians from South Africa.

With the latest flight, Air Peace has transported 1,068 returnees across four evacuation operations, carrying 258, 266, 262 and 282 passengers respectively, while ValueJet supported the exercise by airlifting an additional 66 Nigerians free of charge.

The returnees were accompanied by two officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa.

The Commission said the evacuation followed the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the safe return of Nigerians who opted to come home.

Speaking after their arrival, the returnees expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the evacuation. They also commended Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi, and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, whose team received them at the airport.

Several state governments, corporate organisations and philanthropic groups also announced support packages for the returnees.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State approved ₦1 million each for returnees from the state, while telecommunications company MTN distributed free SIM packs with data valued at ₦50,000 and pledged ₦100,000 to be paid into the bank account of each returnee.

Officials of the Edo and Delta State governments also announced support initiatives for indigenes returning from South Africa.

In addition, the Founder of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, offered free accommodation in Port Harcourt for 52 returnees, alongside free education up to university level for their children and skills acquisition opportunities for affected families.

JAAL Foundation pledged empowerment support for 50 female returnees, while real estate firm Cruxstone provided cash assistance to the first batch of evacuees. Harvesters Church, led by Pastor Bolaji Idowu, also donated ₦100,000 each to the 66 returnees flown home by ValueJet.

Government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and security agencies, were on ground to receive and document the returnees.

The evacuees expressed gratitude for the warm reception and the financial and humanitarian support provided upon their arrival in Nigeria.