The Federal Government has evacuated an additional 111 Nigerians from South Africa amid renewed xenophobic violence, bringing the total number of citizens repatriated since June to 2,037.
The latest batch of returnees, comprising 44 men, 23 women and 44 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 on October 8.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the development in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Sunday.
According to the ministry, the evacuation exercise was funded through a $265,854 donation from the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to support the return of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) received the returnees upon arrival.
The latest operation brings to 15 the number of evacuation flights organised since June 10, when Nigeria commenced voluntary repatriation efforts following a resurgence of anti-immigrant attacks and demonstrations in South Africa.
The ministry disclosed that 1,388 of the 2,037 Nigerians evacuated so far had their travel expenses fully covered by the Federal Government.
It also noted that RCCG has so far sponsored one-way tickets for 318 Nigerians under its commitment to assist 500 distressed citizens, with 182 tickets still outstanding.
The renewed evacuation comes amid violent protests in parts of Johannesburg and Durban, where foreign-owned businesses were reportedly attacked and vehicles destroyed during anti-immigrant demonstrations.
The crisis has rekindled diplomatic concerns between Nigeria and South Africa, with the Federal Government continuing engagements with South African authorities over the safety and welfare of Nigerians living in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to combating xenophobia and Afrophobia while urging Nigerians in South Africa to obey local laws, remain vigilant and maintain regular contact with Nigerian diplomatic missions for assistance.
