271 NIGERIANS EVACUATED FROM SOUTH AFRICA ARRIVE LAGOS

A total of 271 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa have safely arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, marking the successful completion of a repatriation exercise coordinated by the Federal Government.

The returnees, who faced various challenges including xenophobic tensions and economic difficulties, were received by officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). Many expressed relief and gratitude for the timely intervention.

NiDCOM Chairman, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured the returnees of government support for reintegration, including skills acquisition programmes and access to empowerment schemes. “We are committed to ensuring their smooth resettlement and will continue to monitor the situation of Nigerians abroad,” she said.

The evacuation was part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to protect the welfare of its citizens in the face of rising insecurity and economic pressures in some destination countries.

Similar repatriation exercises have been conducted in recent months, with plans to expand support services for returnees across the country.