269 More Nigerians Return From South Africa Via Air Peace

June 30 () — The second evacuation flight operated by Air Peace has brought 269 Nigerian returnees from South Africa to Lagos, as the Federal Government stepped up efforts to repatriate citizens ahead of the June 30 deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Air Peace flight departed Johannesburg and landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, at 10:48 a.m. on Tuesday.

According to the ministry, the 269 returnees were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, and were received on arrival by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by the Director of the African Affairs Department, Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe.

Ali-Gombe conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s goodwill message to the returnees, assuring them that the Federal Government remains committed to protecting the lives, dignity and welfare of Nigerians wherever they reside.

He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to continue providing necessary support to citizens affected by the ongoing situation in South Africa while working to safeguard Nigeria’s interests through diplomatic engagement.

The evacuation exercise was launched following heightened fears over the safety of foreign nationals after anti-immigration groups in South Africa issued threats demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country before June 30.

Although South African authorities have condemned the threats and deployed additional security personnel to maintain law and order, the Nigerian government activated a voluntary evacuation programme to assist citizens who chose to return home.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the evacuation exercise remains ongoing, noting that additional flights are expected to bring back Nigerians who have completed the necessary screening process and registered for voluntary repatriation.

The ministry also reiterated that the Federal Government would sustain diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to ensure the safety and protection of Nigerians who remain in the country.

The latest airlift comes as the Federal Government also moves to seek compensation for Nigerians forced to abandon businesses, vehicles and other valuable assets while fleeing renewed anti-immigrant tensions.

Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, had disclosed that the Nigerian mission has begun documenting businesses and other movable and immovable properties left behind by returning citizens as part of efforts to pursue compensation claims with the South African authorities.

Ajayi also rejected claims that most Nigerians in South Africa are undocumented migrants, explaining that many entered the country legally but became affected by prolonged delays in the renewal of immigration documents by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs.

The Federal Government has maintained that while the evacuation programme is voluntary, it remains committed to protecting the rights, welfare and investments of Nigerians in South Africa through sustained diplomatic engagement and consular support.