The federal government has returned another group of Nigerians from South Africa, with 66 evacuees landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos late yesterday.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the operation was approved by President Bola Tinubu as part of the government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of citizens abroad. An earlier batch of 262 returnees had arrived on June 11 aboard a chartered Air Peace flight, while this second group was facilitated by Value Jet chairman Kunle Soname.

The returnees, accompanied by officials from the Nigerian mission in South Africa, thanked the President for his swift intervention and Soname for his support. The acting High Commissioner, Temitope Ajayi, and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa were on hand to receive them.

Speaking for the commission, Dipo Onabowale praised the President’s citizen-centered approach and said logistical problems encountered after the first evacuation were being addressed by Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who had pledged that all registered Nigerians would be brought home.

Returnees from Imo State each received N1 million courtesy of Governor Hope Uzodinma, while additional support came from MTN Nigeria in free SIM packs and airtime and from a clergyman who gave N100,000 to each person. Agencies including NEMA, the Immigration Service and FAAN helped document and assist the arrivals.