The final batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following rising xenophobic tensions has arrived in Lagos.
The returnees were flown into the country aboard an Air Peace aircraft, which touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 11:28 a.m. on Wednesday.
Their arrival marks the conclusion of the Federal Government’s voluntary evacuation programme for Nigerians who opted to leave South Africa amid growing anti-immigration sentiments and xenophobia-related concerns.
Before the latest flight, the government had conducted six evacuation operations that brought hundreds of stranded Nigerians back home.
President Bola Tinubu approved the evacuation initiative earlier this month to facilitate the safe return of Nigerians willing to leave South Africa as tensions escalated.
In June, the Federal Government announced that Air Peace had been designated to carry out the evacuation after more than 500 Nigerians were screened for repatriation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the operation was designed to ensure the safe return of all registered Nigerians who indicated their willingness to come back home.
The evacuation exercise was coordinated by the Federal Government in collaboration with Air Peace and other relevant agencies.
