By Favour Ulebor
The Federal Government has announced that the first batch of Nigerian nationals being evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks will arrive in Lagos on Thursday morning.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a press statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Tuesday.
According to the Ministry, the evacuees will depart the Oliver Thambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night aboard an Air Peace flight.
The ministry noted that the evacuation operation is being fully funded by the Federal Government, stressing that no affected Nigerian would pay for the trip home.
The statement reads, “The first batch of Nigerian nationals that will be evacuated from the Republic of South Africa due to Xenophobic attacks will depart the Oliver Thambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night, and the expected time of arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos is 5.00am on Thursday morning.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has fully funded the evacuation exercise; consequently, all affected Nigerians will be repatriated at no cost to them.”
It further assured that adequate arrangements had been made for the reception and reintegration of the returnees upon arrival in Nigeria.
According to the statement, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies have been mobilised to provide support for the evacuees.
The ministry said the returnees would undergo documentation and profiling procedures and receive necessary assistance before reuniting with their families.
The government also reassured Nigerians that it remains committed to the welfare and protection of its citizens wherever they reside.
