President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved another round of evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa as renewed xenophobic protests and anti-immigrant threats continue to raise concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in the country.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, announced the development in a statement on Monday, saying the latest evacuation is part of the Federal Government's ongoing efforts to protect Nigerians affected by the unrest.
According to the minister, an Air Peace aircraft, fully funded by the Federal Government, is expected to arrive at the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Monday to airlift another batch of Nigerians who have indicated their willingness to return home.
She said the latest operation follows the successful evacuation of 66 Nigerians, mostly women and children in vulnerable circumstances, who arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 24.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that President Tinubu had directed that the evacuation exercise should continue beyond the deadline reportedly issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa until every Nigerian who wishes to return home is safely evacuated.
"The President has further directed that the evacuations will continue, even after the deadline has elapsed, to ensure that no Nigerian citizen who wants to come back to our home country is left behind," the statement said.
The minister said officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) would be on ground at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport to receive the returnees.
She explained that the agencies would conduct documentation, health screening and profiling of the evacuees to facilitate their reintegration.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated that the protection of Nigerians abroad remains a key priority of the Tinubu administration's citizen diplomacy policy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She said the government remains committed to protecting its citizens wherever they may be and ensuring that Nigerians facing danger outside the country receive the necessary support.
The minister also extended a message of reassurance to the evacuees, welcoming them back to Nigeria and affirming the government's commitment to their welfare and safety.
Leave a Reply