The first group of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following the recent wave of xenophobic attacks arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Thursday morning. The returnees were flown home aboard an Air Peace aircraft that departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night and touched down in Lagos at about 10:40 a.m.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and various security agencies were on hand at the airport to conduct documentation and profiling of the evacuees upon arrival.
The aircraft’s landing came after several hours of anticipation, with security personnel and border management officials maintaining a presence at the airport ahead of the returnees’ arrival. Numerous officials gathered at the airside to receive the Nigerians, many of whom have continued to share accounts of their experiences in South Africa.
According to reports, the Federal Government financed the evacuation exercise and made arrangements to ensure the returnees receive adequate reception and support services.
Authorities said the evacuees would be provided with necessary assistance before being reunited with their families.
The repatriation follows growing concerns over attacks on foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, which prompted the Nigerian government to facilitate the voluntary return of affected citizens.
