The Federal Government has confirmed that the first batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks will arrive in Lagos on Thursday morning.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the evacuees will depart Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night aboard an Air Peace flight and are expected to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 5:00 a.m. on Thursday.
The government also reiterated that the evacuation exercise is being fully funded by the Federal Government, stressing that all affected Nigerians will be brought back home at no cost.
“The first batch of Nigerian nationals that will be evacuated from the Republic of South Africa due to xenophobic attacks will depart the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg Wednesday night, and the expected time of arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos is 5.00am on Thursday morning.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has fully funded the evacuation exercise; consequently, all affected Nigerians will be repatriated at no cost to them,” the statement said.
It further noted that arrangements had been made for the reception and reintegration of the returnees upon their arrival.
The statement added that relevant ministries, departments and agencies have been mobilised to provide necessary support for the evacuees.
