The Federal Government on Thursday received 258 Nigerians flown home from South Africa, the first group to be evacuated following a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
According to reports, the evacuees touched down aboard a special Air Peace flight at the international wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 10:25 am.
They were met by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, who received them on behalf of Abuja alongside officials from the Nigerian Mission in South Africa.
The delegation from Pretoria was led by Acting High Commissioner Ambassador Temitope Alexander Ajayi.
Addressing the returnees, Enikanolaiye said the evacuation was the government’s duty to protect citizens abroad.
"Nigeria will not tolerate attacks, harassment or any form of abuse directed at our citizens anywhere in the world," he told the group.
He added that the returnees would undergo documentation, medical screening and profiling before being placed in temporary accommodation and reunited with their families.
The minister disclosed that President Cyril Ramaphosa had assured Nigeria that South Africa’s government does not support the anti-foreigner protests.
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"The South African president has consistently stated that his government does not support the protests.
"He has assured us that the June 30 ultimatum issued by some groups does not stand and that those behind the threats will be dealt with," Enikanolaiye said.
He added that many Nigerians with legitimate businesses in South Africa had suffered losses, with some abandoning investments and fleeing due to intimidation and insecurity.
While acknowledging public pressure for retaliatory measures against South African interests in Nigeria, Enikanolaiye insisted Abuja would pursue diplomacy.
"There are calls for stronger action, but Nigeria will continue to explore diplomatic options. We value our relationship with South Africa and hope the situation will not escalate further," he said.
Ambassador Ajayi confirmed further evacuations were scheduled for June 15, June 18, June 22 and June 24, describing the airlift as "the safest option for Nigerians seeking to escape the violence."
One evacuee named Philip who thanked the Federal Government for intervening, recalled weeks of hostility and fear, saying many Nigerians in South Africa had endured "difficult and traumatic conditions."
Meanwhile, an estimated number of 800,000 Nigerians live in South Africa.
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