Lagos, Nigeria — The Federal Government’s evacuation of stranded Nigerians from South Africa has recorded another milestone, as the sixth batch of returnees arrived in Lagos on Friday night, bringing the total number of evacuees to 1,174.
The latest group of 40 Nigerians arrived via a chartered flight, complementing earlier arrivals transported through multiple flights operated by Air Peace and ValueJet. The breakdown of previous arrivals includes 258, 266, 262, and 282 returnees conveyed by Air Peace, alongside 66 passengers airlifted by ValueJet.
The returnees expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving their swift evacuation, as well as to key government officials and facilitators who ensured the success of the operation.
Among those commended were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; 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 the returnees and announced financial support measures.
In a show of solidarity, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma provided ₦1 million each to returnees from the state. Telecommunications giant MTN also donated free SIM packs with data valued at ₦50,000 and pledged an additional ₦100,000 to be credited to each returnee’s bank account.
Officials from Edo and Delta States similarly announced support packages for their indigenes, while the JAAL Foundation committed to providing empowerment support for 50 female returnees.
Humanitarian contributions also came from religious and private organizations. Apostle Dr. Chibuzor Gift Chinwe, General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries Worldwide, was lauded for offering free accommodation to about 52 returnees, alongside skills acquisition programmes for families and free education for their children up to university level.
Additionally, Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters Church donated ₦100,000 each to 66 returnees, while Cruxstone, a real estate firm, provided financial support to the first batch of evacuees.
Government agencies including 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 facilitate documentation and reception processes.
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The returnees expressed gratitude for the warm reception, financial assistance, and coordinated support extended to them upon arrival, describing the intervention as timely and life-saving.
The ongoing evacuation underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians abroad, particularly in times of crisis.
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