By Bosun Obafemi
The Federal Government is set to evacuate another 271 Nigerians from South Africa as fears mount over planned anti-immigrant protests scheduled to begin on June 30.
The latest batch of returnees is expected to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning aboard an Air Peace aircraft deployed as part of the government’s ongoing voluntary evacuation programme.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed that the aircraft departed Nigeria on Monday, June 29, at 3:00 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive in South Africa at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time.
He explained that the return flight would depart South Africa at midnight and land in Lagos on Tuesday morning with 271 Nigerians who opted to return home in the wake of rising concerns over the planned demonstrations.
“Nigeria will resume the evacuation of our nationals from South Africa today,” Ebienfa said, adding that the operation is part of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens abroad.
The evacuation follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of a voluntary repatriation programme earlier this month to assist Nigerians willing to leave South Africa before the planned anti-immigrant protests.
Earlier in June, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that five Air Peace evacuation flights had been approved after more than 500 Nigerians were screened for repatriation, assuring that all registered citizens wishing to return would be evacuated safely.
Before the latest operation, 328 Nigerians had already been brought back to the country in two batches. The first flight, which arrived on June 11, returned 262 Nigerians, while a second batch of 66 arrived in Lagos on June 25.
The ongoing evacuation exercise is being coordinated by the Federal Government in collaboration with Air Peace and other relevant agencies as authorities continue efforts to safeguard Nigerian nationals in South Africa amid growing security concerns.
