By UMZUKULU KAMHLANGANYELWA
The last group of Nigerians taking part in their government’s voluntary repatriation programme is expected to leave South Africa this week, bringing the evacuation operation to an end.
A total of 282 Nigerians arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday night aboard an Air Peace flight, bringing the total number of returnees to 1,141.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the flight was the fourth evacuation mission, with ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa announcing that the fifth and final repatriation flight from South Africa will arrive in Nigeria this week.
The voluntary evacuation programme was launched in June following anti-immigration protests and alleged attacks on foreign nationals in parts of South Africa. More than 1,000 Nigerians registered to return home under the government-funded programme coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged affected Nigerians to put their safety first, saying the peace and security of their families were more important than any belongings they might have to leave behind.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s House of Representatives has condemned the alleged attacks on Nigerians, describing them as unacceptable and calling on the federal government to consider tougher diplomatic measures if Nigerian citizens continue to be targeted.
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