The sixth batch of stranded Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in Lagos, with 40 additional returnees landing on Friday night aboard a chartered Air Peace flight.
The latest arrival brings the total number of Nigerians repatriated in the sixth evacuation exercise to 1,174, according to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
NiDCOM disclosed on Saturday that the returnees were transported on multiple flights operated by Air Peace, carrying 258, 266, 262 and 282 passengers respectively, alongside a ValueJet flight with 66 passengers. The final group of 40 completed the evacuation exercise.
The returnees expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving their immediate evacuation and commended all individuals and organisations that facilitated the process.
They also thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Acting Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Temitope Alexander-Ajayi; and NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, whose officials received them on arrival and coordinated support for the evacuees.
As part of the reintegration support, the Imo State Government, through Governor Hope Uzodimma, awarded ₦1 million to each returnee from the state. MTN also donated free SIM packs with data valued at ₦50,000 and pledged an additional ₦100,000 to each returnee’s bank account.
NiDCOM added that officials from Edo and Delta states also announced support packages for their indigenes, while the JAAL Foundation committed to providing empowerment assistance for 50 female returnees.
The commission further acknowledged the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries Worldwide, Chibuzor Chinwe, for offering free accommodation to about 52 returnees, as well as skills acquisition opportunities for their families and free education for their children up to university level.
Similarly, the Senior Pastor of Harvesters Church, Bolaji Idowu, donated ₦100,000 each to 66 returnees, while real estate firm Cruxstone provided financial support to the first batch of evacuees.
Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and other security agencies were present at the airport to receive and document the returnees.
