By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi
The Federal Government has concluded its emergency evacuation of Nigerians affected by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with the arrival of the final government-sponsored flight carrying 308 returnees to Lagos.
The Air Peace aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday, marking the end of the rescue operation that saw at least 1,500 Nigerians safely evacuated from Southern Africa.
Also, on board the final flight were three Nigerian government officials who coordinated the evacuation exercise.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed that the latest flight concluded the Federal Government’s evacuation programme.
In a statement posted on her official X account, the minister disclosed that the final flight departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 6:30 a.m. South African time.
She said the evacuation was initiated in response to the xenophobic protests and attacks targeting black migrants in South Africa, adding that more than 1,500 Nigerian nationals had now been successfully brought home.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for authorising the emergency airlift, describing the intervention as timely and lifesaving.
According to her, the President’s decision to extend the evacuation beyond the June 30 deadline earlier issued by anti-migrant groups emphasized his administration’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad.
She said Tinubu’s swift response demonstrated his resolve to safeguard the lives and dignity of Nigerian citizens regardless of where they reside.
The minister also praised Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in South Africa for coordinating the operation, singling out the Acting High Commissioner in Pretoria, Ambassador Alex Ajayi, and the Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ambassador Nini Okey Uche, for their efforts.
She equally commended Air Peace for partnering with the Federal Government to transport stranded Nigerians back home and thanked members of the public for their patience and support throughout the evacuation exercise.
