By Precious Mark
The Federal Government has successfully evacuated another batch of 287 Nigerian nationals from South Africa, following the ongoing wave of anti-migrant protests and xenophobic attacks sweeping across the country.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Lady Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday, noting that the flight departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 2:50 PM South African time.
The evacuation exercise ran into a brief logistical hitch when the windshield of the initial Air Peace aircraft deployed for the mission reportedly shattered in Johannesburg, leaving it grounded. However, the local carrier swiftly deployed a replacement aircraft to ensure the stranded Nigerians were not left vulnerable.
The evacuees, who are fleeing hostile environments, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday evening.
“On board the aircraft are 287 nationals comprising 272 adults and 15 infants, in addition to the airline crew and Nigerian officials. The Air Peace aircraft earlier scheduled to evacuate this batch of evacuees was unable to operate after its windshield reportedly shattered in Johannesburg. Air Peace swiftly deployed a replacement aircraft to facilitate this operation,” Ojukwu explained.
The Minister reiterated that the administration remains unyielding in its duty to safeguard Nigerian lives abroad, offering a guaranteed pathway to safety for any citizens who feel their families are currently at risk by remaining in South Africa.
“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains committed to providing a pathway to safety for its citizens who consider themselves and their families at risk by remaining in South Africa as a result of the anti-migrant protests and incidents which have engulfed the country. To the returnees, we say in advance, ‘Welcome Home,’” Ojukwu stated.