First Batch of 262 Nigerians Evacuated from South Africa Arrive in Lagos

Blessing Bello, Reporting 

THE first batch of 262 Nigerian nationals evacuated from South Africa touched down safely at Murtala Muhammed International Airport this morning, following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who personally approved and fully funded the Air Peace evacuation flight.

The returnees were airlifted from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and arrived at approximately 10:15 a.m., where they were received by the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and Honourable Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

According to a release issued by NIDCOM’s Head of Press and Protocols, Abdurhaman Balogun, the evacuation comes amid rising tensions in South Africa, though the precise nature of the distress that prompted the presidential intervention was not detailed in the commission’s statement.

‘No Nigerian Left Behind’

Speaking at the reception, Dr Dabiri-Erewa commended President Tinubu’s swift intervention and the collaborative efforts of all agencies involved in the operation.

“We are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of our brothers and sisters in South Africa,” she said. “President Tinubu has demonstrated exemplary leadership by ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in times of distress. We stand ready to support these returnees as they resettle and rebuild their lives.”

The NIDCOM chairman also announced a series of support measures for the evacuees. Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has approved one million naira for each Imo State indigene among the returnees. MTN Nigeria has donated 100,000 naira per returnee, to be transferred directly to their accounts. Meanwhile, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will fast-track the issuance of National Identity Numbers to all evacuees.

The returnees are currently undergoing mandatory documentation and profiling at the airport.

NIDCOM urged Nigerians remaining in the diaspora to remain law-abiding while the government engages South African authorities on the root causes of the tensions. Further evacuation batches are expected to be announced in due course.