Lagos, Nigeria – The fifth batch of stranded Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday evening, bringing the total number of returnees to 1,134.
The latest group of 282 returnees touched down at about 7:35 p.m. aboard an Air Peace flight, continuing the ongoing evacuation exercise coordinated by the Federal Government. The effort follows earlier airlifts, with Air Peace conducting four flights carrying 258, 266, 262, and 282 passengers respectively, while Value Jet supported the operation with a complimentary flight conveying 66 Nigerians.
Officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanied the returnees, ensuring a smooth repatriation process.
The evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s commitment, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to guarantee the safe return of Nigerians willing to leave South Africa amid recent challenges. The returnees expressed appreciation to the President for facilitating their swift evacuation, as well as to the Acting Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi, and the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, whose team received them on arrival.
Several interventions were announced to support the returnees’ reintegration. The Imo State Government, led by Governor Hope Uzodinma, provided N1 million each to indigenes from the state. Telecommunications giant MTN distributed free SIM packs with data valued at N50,000 and pledged N100,000 cash transfers to all returnees.
State governments of Edo and Delta also disclosed plans to extend incentives to their returning citizens.
In addition, Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, Founder of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), offered free accommodation in Port Harcourt for 52 returnees, alongside free education up to university level for their children and skills acquisition programmes for affected families.
JAAL Foundation pledged empowerment support for 50 female returnees, while Cruxstone, a real estate firm, donated cash to the first batch of evacuees. Similarly, Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters Church gave N100,000 each to 66 returnees.
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Relevant government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other security agencies, were on ground to receive and document the returnees.
The evacuees expressed gratitude for the warm reception and various support initiatives extended to them upon arrival.
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