FG Reaffirms Nigerians’ Safety As 83 Return From South Africa

The federal government has restated its commitment to the safety of Nigerians outside the shore of the country as another batch of 83 citizens fleeing the Afrophobic attacks in South Africa returned home on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement issued by its spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa,  said the 83 returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg. The returnees were accompanied by two (2) officials from the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The ministry reiterated the fact that the repatriation exercise of this batch of returnees was facilitated through the procurement of flight tickets by good-spirited private individuals, whose generous support enabled their safe return to Nigeria.

“Upon arrival, the returnees were received by the director, African Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe, who welcomed them on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria. Thereafter, they were handed over to the relevant government agencies for necessary documentation and profiling ahead of their reunification with their families.

“The federal government remains committed to the welfare and safe return of all Nigerian citizens abroad and expresses profound appreciation to the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, the private individuals who sponsored the exercise, and all agencies involved in ensuring a smooth reception and reintegration process,” the statement added.

The Nigerian Government had previously evacuated nearly 1,600 people from the former Apartheid enclave, following waves of attacks against African citizens, who have gone to seek greener pastures  in the once promising country for the continent.