First batch of Nigerians being repatriated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks is expected to arrive in Lagos on Thursday morning, the Federal Government has said.
The returnees are due to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
Ebienfa said the evacuees would be transported aboard an aircraft operated by Air Peace, scheduled to depart O R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night and arrive in Lagos at about 5 am on Thursday.
She said the repatriation exercise was fully funded by the Federal Government, with reception and support arrangements already in place for the returnees.
"Upon arrival, the evacuees will undergo documentation and profiling procedures and will receive the appropriate assistance and support before being reunited with their families," the statement said.
The repatriation flight had initially been scheduled for Monday but was later shifted to Wednesday due to what the ministry described as unforeseen logistical considerations.
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Speaking earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the delay was necessary to complete documentation and screening in cooperation with South African authorities.
She disclosed that more than 1,000 Nigerians in South Africa had participated in the screening exercise, staying that the figure continued to rise.
Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria said it had negotiated waivers with host authorities to allow Nigerians with immigration-related offences to depart on the repatriation flights rather than face detention.
At least 270 Nigerians are expected to make up the first batch of evacuees.
The exercise is being conducted in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant government bodies.
Recall that the repatriation follows growing fears over attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, which prompted Nigerian authorities to facilitate the voluntary return of affected citizens.
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