Xenophobia: FG evacauates another 40 stranded Nigerians from S/Africa

Another group of 40 returnees have arrived Nigeria from South Africa on Friday night, bringing the total number of evacuated Nigerian citizens across six batches to 1,174.

The repatriated citizens arrived via multiple flights, which included four Air Peace operations carrying 258, 266, 262, and 282 passengers respectively, a ValueJet flight with 66 passengers, and this sixth batch, which arrived on a chartered flight with 40 Nigerians.

The returnees expressed their profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving their immediate evacuation, as well as to all the facilitators involved in the operation.

They also extended their appreciation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Nigerian Acting Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi; and the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, whose team members were on the ground to receive them and announce financial support packages.

Significant relief incentives were provided to help the citizens reintegrate. Returnees from Imo State received ₦1 million each, courtesy of Governor Hope Uzodimma.

This is as MTN Nigeria also donated free SIM packs equipped with ₦50,000 worth of data, alongside an extra ₦100,000 to be deposited directly into the bank accounts of all the returnees.

Officials from Edo and Delta states also announced specialized welfare packages from their respective state governments, while the JAAL Foundation pledged empowerment support specifically tailored for 50 female returnees.

Faith-based and corporate organizations also stepped in with substantial humanitarian aid.

The General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Dr. Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, was highly commended for his selfless gesture in providing free housing for approximately 52 returnees, alongside skill acquisition programs for families and full educational scholarships for their children up to the university level.

The returnees also thanked Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters International Christian Centre, who gifted ₦100,000 each to 66 returnees, and the real estate firm Cruxstone, which provided cash support to the initial groups of arrivals.

Multiple government bodies and security agencies worked collaboratively at the airport to ensure seamless documentation and reception.

These included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

The returnees expressed overwhelming gratitude for the immense structural support, financial donations, and warm reception they received upon their homecoming.