By Mardiyyah Abubakar
The Federal Government has completed the evacuation of Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with the arrival of the final flight carrying 308 returnees.
The aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday morning with the returnees and three Nigerian officials who helped coordinate the operation.
Footage from the arrival showed women, children and families carrying their luggage as they stepped off the plane and received assistance from officials at the airport.
Many of the returnees appeared tired but relieved after escaping the unrest and beginning their journey back home.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the latest flight increased the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to more than 1,500.
She announced that the final government-sponsored flight departed O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, at 6:30 a.m. South African time.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the emergency airlift, saying the intervention helped protect Nigerians caught up in xenophobic protests and attacks.
She said the extension of the evacuation exercise beyond the June 30 deadline issued by anti-migrant groups showed the government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad.
The minister also praised Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in South Africa and Air Peace for supporting the successful evacuation.
She commended the Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria, Ambassador Alex Ajayi, the Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ambassador Nini Okey Uche, and other officials involved in the operation.
The Federal Government said the evacuation reflected its responsibility to protect Nigerians facing danger outside the country.
