By Ismail Azeez
The Federal Government on Thursday received the first batch of 268 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in that country.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard an Air Peace evacuation flight at about 5:00 a.m and were officially received on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
In a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the government emphasized that the evacuation exercise underscores its unwavering commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad.
According to the statement: “In demonstration of the importance attached to the well-being of Nigerians abroad and the Federal Government’s citizen-centered foreign policy, the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, will be at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to receive the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
“The Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, is expected to escort the first batch of 268 passengers to the country and hand them over to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The estimated time of arrival of the evacuation flight operated by Air Peace Airlines is 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, 11th June, 2026.”
The Ministry also announced that the ongoing screening exercise by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria for citizens willing to voluntarily return home has been extended to Sunday, June 14, 2026, to accommodate more individuals.
“This underscores the priority accorded to the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas, which remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a core responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also reflects the Government’s determination to ensure that Nigerians affected by crises abroad receive the necessary support, dignity, and care,” the statement continued.
The Ministry further assured the public that the Federal Government, through relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), has put in place comprehensive arrangements for the reception, documentation, and integration of the returnees.