The Federal Government has announced that the first batch of Nigerians being repatriated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks will arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday morning.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the evacuation flight is expected to land at about 5:00 a.m.

The statement disclosed that the flight, operated by Air Peace, will depart the Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, on Wednesday night.

Ebienfa said the Federal Government has fully funded the repatriation exercise and put in place adequate reception and support arrangements for the returnees.

“Upon arrival, the evacuees will undergo documentation and profiling procedures and will receive appropriate assistance and support before being reunited with their families,” the statement read.

The evacuation flight was initially scheduled for Monday but was later shifted to Wednesday due to what the ministry described as “unforeseen logistical considerations.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had explained that the delay became necessary to conclude documentation and screening processes in collaboration with South African authorities.

According to the minister, more than 1,000 Nigerians in South Africa participated in the screening exercise, although the number of prospective returnees continues to rise.

Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria also revealed that it successfully negotiated waivers with South African authorities to enable Nigerians with immigration-related offences to leave the country through the repatriation arrangement instead of facing detention.

At least 270 Nigerians are expected to arrive in the first batch of evacuees.

The repatriation exercise is being coordinated in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant government agencies as diplomatic efforts continue to address the situation.