Another 269 Nigerians Repatriated from South Africa Arrive in Lagos

The Federal Government welcomed 269 more Nigerians home from South Africa on Tuesday, as efforts accelerate to repatriate citizens before the June 30 deadline for undocumented foreign nationals.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Air Peace evacuation flight touched down at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at 10:48 a.m.

This latest arrival brings the total number of voluntary returnees to 335, following the initial evacuation of 66 citizens on June 24.

According to the ministry, the 269 evacuees were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa and were formally received on arrival by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The reception team was led by the Director of the African Affairs Department, Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe, who conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s goodwill message to the returnees.

Ali-Gombe assured them of the Federal Government’s continued commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad.

He conveyed the greetings and assurances of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the returnees, reaffirming the Federal Government’s steadfast commitment to ensure the safety of Nigerian nationals living outside the country.

The ministry said the evacuation exercise remains ongoing despite the expiration of the June 30 deadline issued by South African authorities for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.

It noted that additional evacuation flights are expected in the coming days to bring home all Nigerians who have been screened and cleared for voluntary return.

“The evacuation process is still on course and more flights are expected in the country in the next few days to evacuate all Nigerians that have been screened and cleared to voluntarily return to the country,” it stated.

The ministry added that the Federal Government would continue diplomatic engagements with South African authorities to safeguard the rights and welfare of Nigerians residing in the country.

It reiterated its commitment to ensuring the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas while facilitating the safe return of those who choose to come back home.