The Federal Government has successfully concluded the evacuation of Nigerians displaced by the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with the final batch of returnees arriving in Lagos.
The last government-sponsored flight landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday, bringing back 308 Nigerians and three government officials who coordinated the evacuation operation.
The evacuees, including women, children and entire families, were welcomed by airport officials upon arrival.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed that the latest airlift increased the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to more than 1,500.
She said the emergency operation was approved by President Bola Tinubu to ensure the safe return of citizens affected by the wave of xenophobic attacks targeting black migrants in South Africa.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu praised the President for what she described as a swift and compassionate response, saying the intervention helped save the lives of many Nigerians.
She also commended officials at the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and Air Peace for their support in making the evacuation exercise successful.
