Federal Government Repatriates 66 Nigerians from South Africa amid xenophobia

By Favour Ulebor

Abuja — The Federal Government has repatriated an additional 66 Nigerians from South Africa as part of its ongoing effort to assist citizens affected by recent xenophobic attacks in the country.

The evacuees, constituting the second batch, arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at approximately 8:50 p.m. yesterday.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the development to Vanguard, stating that 66 individuals were repatriated in the second phase of the operation.

According to the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) on its official X page, the latest evacuation followed the arrival of the first batch of 258 Nigerians on June 11 aboard a chartered Air Peace flight.

Mr. Dipo Onabowale, Head of the Lagos Office of NiDCOM, noted that the evacuation flight was arranged by Chairman and CEO of ValueJet, Mr. Kunle Soname, and that officials from the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanied the returnees.

Speaking on behalf of NiDCOM Chairman, Mrs. Abike Dabiri‑Erewa, Onabowale praised President Tinubu for approving the evacuation exercise.

He added that challenges encountered during the first phase were being addressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Onabowale said that Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu, has assured that all registered Nigerians willing to return from South Africa will be evacuated.

NiDCOM also announced support packages for the returnees. The commission said that evacuees from Imo State will receive N1 million each from Governor Hope Uzodimma.

It added that MTN Nigeria will provide free SIM cards and N50,000 worth of data, while N100,000 will be credited into each returnee’s bank account.

Pastor Bolaji Idowu, founder of Harvesters International Christian Centre, also donated N100,000 to each evacuee.

The returnees expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for approving the evacuation and ensuring their safe return home.

They also thanked Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Amb. Temitope Ajayi, NiDCOM Chairman Mrs. Dabiri‑Erewa, and other supporters of the exercise.

Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and other security agencies were present at the airport to receive and document the returnees.

These repatriations are part of the evacuation exercise approved by President Tinubu following renewed attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa.