Xenophobia: 83 Nigerians return from South Africa

Eighty-three Nigerians who had been evacuated from South Africa have returned home amid growing fears over xenophobic attacks and hostility towards African migrants in the country. The group arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday night on a flight from Johannesburg. They were accompanied by two officials from Nigeria's Consulate-General in Johannesburg.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the repatriation in a statement on Wednesday night. She explained that the return was made possible through financial support from private individuals who covered the cost of flight tickets. "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," Ebienfa stated.

Upon their arrival, the returnees were greeted at the airport by Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe, the Director of the African Affairs Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They were then handed over to relevant government agencies for documentation and profiling before their families could be contacted for reunification. The ministry emphasized Nigeria's commitment to protecting its citizens living abroad and ensuring the safe return of those affected by emergencies in foreign countries.

Ebienfa expressed gratitude to the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa, the private sponsors who contributed to the evacuation, and the government agencies responsible for receiving and assisting the returnees. The ministry highlighted the importance of collaboration among these stakeholders to ensure the proper reception and support of the returnees as they reintegrate into their communities.