83 Nigerians Return From South Africa as FG Completes Repatriation Exercise

Eighty-three Nigerians have returned to the country from South Africa following a repatriation exercise facilitated by the Federal Government with support from private individuals.

The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday.

The returnees were accompanied by two officials from the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, who assisted with their return journey.

According to the ministry, the repatriation was made possible through the procurement of flight tickets by unnamed private individuals who volunteered financial support to facilitate the safe return of the Nigerians.

The returnees were received at the Lagos airport by the Director of the African Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe, on behalf of the Federal Government.

Following their arrival, the 83 returnees were handed over to relevant government agencies for documentation and profiling.

The process is expected to pave the way for their eventual reunification with their families.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring the welfare and safe return of Nigerian citizens stranded or in need of assistance abroad.

It also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa, the private individuals who funded the flight tickets and the government agencies involved in receiving and processing the returnees.

The ministry said the coordinated effort was aimed at ensuring a smooth reception and reintegration process for the returning Nigerians.

The latest development highlights the continued involvement of Nigerian diplomatic authorities in assisting citizens requiring repatriation from other countries.