Second batch of evacuated Nigerians arrive from South Africa as repatriation exercise continues

The second batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa under a federal government-approved repatriation programme has arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, marking another phase in efforts to bring stranded citizens back home.

The group of 66 returnees landed at the Lagos airport at approximately 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday as part of the ongoing evacuation exercise approved by President Bola Tinubu.

The latest arrival comes barely weeks after the first batch of 258 Nigerians was successfully repatriated on June 11 aboard a chartered Air Peace flight.

Officials of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), alongside representatives of relevant government agencies, were on hand to receive and process the returnees upon arrival.

Speaking at the airport, Dipo Onabowale, the Lagos State representative of NiDCOM, disclosed that the evacuation flight was facilitated by Kunle Soname, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ValueJet, with officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanying the evacuees throughout the journey.

Onabowale, who represented the Chairman of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for authorising the evacuation exercise and ensuring that affected Nigerians received government support during the process.

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He noted that challenges encountered during the first phase of the evacuation had been identified and were being addressed by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to improve subsequent operations.

According to him, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reassured Nigerians that all citizens who registered for evacuation from South Africa would eventually be brought back home.

“The minister has given assurances that every Nigerian who has registered for evacuation will be catered for as the exercise continues,” Onabowale said.

Beyond facilitating their return, government agencies and private sector partners have also provided support packages aimed at helping the evacuees reintegrate into society.

NiDCOM disclosed that indigenes of Imo State among the returnees would receive financial assistance of N1 million each from the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma.

The commission further revealed that telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria donated free SIM cards and data packages valued at N50,000 to each returnee. In addition, the company credited N100,000 into the bank accounts of all the evacuees to support their immediate needs.

Also contributing to the rehabilitation effort, the Founder of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Pastor Bolaji Idowu, donated N100,000 to each of the returnees.

The evacuees expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for approving the repatriation exercise and ensuring their safe return to Nigeria.

They also commended Kunle Soname for supporting the evacuation logistics, while appreciating Temitope Ajayi, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, and Abike Dabiri-Erewa for their roles in facilitating the process.

Several government agencies were present at the airport to receive, document and provide support services to the returnees.

Among the agencies represented were the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other relevant stakeholders involved in migration and humanitarian assistance.

The ongoing evacuation programme forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to support Nigerians facing challenges abroad and ensure their safe return and reintegration into the country.

Authorities have indicated that further evacuation flights may be arranged as necessary until all registered Nigerians seeking repatriation from South Africa have been successfully brought home.