Another 105 Nigerians have returned home from South Africa, with the latest evacuation bringing to 1,821 the number of Nigerians repatriated from the country since the Federal Government began the exercise in June.
The latest returnees, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on South African Airways flight SA060 at about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 24.
The Federal Government, however, disclosed that the bulk of the cost of the latest evacuation was not borne by the government but through private humanitarian support from the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 100 of the returnees were flown home with part of the $265,854 donated by the RCCG for the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa, while the tickets for the remaining five were funded by a private Nigerian citizen.
The returnees were received in Lagos by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, National Emergency Management Agency, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other relevant agencies.
The latest operation is the 13th consular evacuation from South Africa since the exercise began on June 10, 2026. The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the Federal Government has so far fully funded the evacuation of 1,388 of the 1,821 Nigerians brought back from the country.
The RCCG intervention followed an appeal from Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in South Africa for assistance in bringing distressed Nigerians home. The church said its $265,854 contribution was intended to provide safe passage for vulnerable Nigerians seeking to return.
The church is expected to support the return of more Nigerians, as the current intervention is targeted at about 500 Nigerians. The latest 105 constitute the first batch under the church-backed repatriation arrangement. (Punch Newspapers)
Meanwhile, Nigerian diplomatic officials in South Africa are processing other distressed Nigerians who have commenced preliminary clearance with the Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities.
The Federal Government said it remained concerned about attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa and would continue diplomatic engagements with the South African authorities over xenophobia and Afrophobia.
It also advised Nigerians still resident in South Africa to remain vigilant, obey local laws and maintain contact with the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg whenever they require consular assistance.
