66 More Nigerians Evacuated From South Africa Arrive Lagos as Repatriation Total Hits 324

66 More Nigerians Evacuated From South Africa Arrive Lagos as Repatriation Total Hits 324

The Federal Government has evacuated another 66 Nigerians from South Africa, bringing the total number of citizens repatriated under the ongoing emergency evacuation programme to 324 amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The latest batch of returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, at about 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday, marking the second phase of the Federal Government’s evacuation exercise for Nigerians willing to return home.

The development follows the successful evacuation of 258 Nigerians on June 11, 2026, aboard a chartered Air Peace flight after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the repatriation of affected citizens.

Confirming the arrival of the second batch, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the evacuation formed part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of Nigerians facing challenges in South Africa.

The Head of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Lagos Office, Dipo Onabowale, disclosed that the flight was facilitated by ValueJet Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kunle Soname, while officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanied the returnees back to Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Onabowale commended President Tinubu for approving the evacuation and ensuring that stranded Nigerians were safely returned home.

He also noted that challenges encountered during the first phase of the evacuation exercise were being addressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to improve subsequent operations.

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According to him, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to evacuating all registered Nigerians who wish to leave South Africa.

To support the reintegration of the returnees, several assistance packages were announced by government agencies, corporate organisations and private individuals.

NiDCOM revealed that evacuees from Imo State would receive ₦1 million each from Governor Hope Uzodimma to assist with their resettlement and economic recovery.

In addition, MTN Nigeria provided free SIM cards and ₦50,000 worth of data to each returnee, while ₦100,000 was credited into the bank account of every evacuee to help address immediate needs.

Further support came from the Founder of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Pastor Bolaji Idowu, who donated ₦100,000 to each returnee.

Officials said the intervention packages were designed to ease the transition process and provide immediate relief to Nigerians returning after difficult experiences abroad.

Many of the evacuees expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for approving the evacuation and thanked all stakeholders involved in the operation, including Kunle Soname, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa Ambassador Temitope Ajayi, NiDCOM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Some of the returnees described the evacuation as timely, citing growing fears over insecurity, discrimination and economic hardship as reasons for deciding to return to Nigeria.

Government officials reiterated that the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad remain a priority and urged citizens living overseas to maintain regular contact with Nigerian diplomatic missions in their host countries.

Representatives of 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 other security agencies were present at the airport to receive and process the returnees.

The latest evacuation highlights the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to provide assistance to Nigerians affected by security threats, humanitarian challenges and xenophobic violence abroad while facilitating their safe return and reintegration.

66 More Nigerians Evacuated From South Africa Arrive Lagos as Repatriation Total Hits 324