The Federal Government on Thursday received the first batch of 268 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard an Air Peace evacuation flight and were received on behalf of the government by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye.
The Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Pretoria, Alexander Ajayi, escorted the evacuees back to Nigeria as part of ongoing efforts to assist citizens seeking voluntary return due to the attacks.
The ministry said the screening exercise for Nigerians willing to return has been extended until June 14 to accommodate more applicants. It added that relevant government agencies have put in place arrangements for the reception, documentation and support of the returnees.
Speaking on the support arrangements, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said returnees would be profiled and connected with appropriate services.
"The first step is documentation, followed by profiling. During the profiling process, we will determine those who need to be placed in relevant schools in Nigeria. For Nigerian students in South Africa who are returning home and discontinuing their education there, the Federal Ministry of Education will be responsible for placing them in appropriate institutions, whether universities or unity schools, as the case may be."
Ebienfa added that healthcare support would also be available for those requiring medical attention.
"For those who require medical attention, the Ministry of Health, along with other relevant agencies involved in the screening process, will provide the necessary services and support."
The government said the evacuation reflects its commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad and providing assistance to citizens affected by crises overseas.
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