Another batch of over 100 Nigerians stranded in South Africa following the renewed xenophobic attacks have departed the country aboard a special flight arranged by the Federal Government.

This is in the continuation of the evacuation exercise conducted by the Federal Government.

The latest batch of returnees, comprising adult men and women, children and minors, departed South Africa on Wednesday around 3:45pm (South African time) and are expected to arrive in Nigeria later in the night, where government officials would receive them.

The returnees who departed from the O. R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, would land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Before departure, the passports and phones of the returnees were collected from them, but a consular officer from the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa who addressed the returnees, promised that their telephones would be returned back to them immediately the aircraft is airborne.

According to him, the phones were collected from them in order to prevent disruption of the special flight.

The evacuation was facilitated through a special South African Airways (SAA) – Airbus A330-300 chartered flight by the Federal Government to bring the willing Nigerians home safely.

The consular officer also advised the returnees to comply with all necessary protocols and procedures upon arrival in Lagos, Nigeria.

The exercise is a continuation of the Federal Government’s response to the wave of xenophobic attacks that have targeted foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in parts of South Africa.

The current evacuation follows an earlier exercise conducted by the Federal Government, during which the first batch of affected Nigerians was successfully repatriated.

That initial operation was carried out by Nigerian carrier, Air Peace.

Following the first phase, the evacuation process was temporarily suspended to allow authorities to address logistical and administrative issues associated with the exercise.

An evacuation exercise scheduled for last week was abruptly cancelled.

In Nigeria, the returnees are expected to undergo the necessary reception and documentation procedures before being reunited with their families.

The government has promised that it would continue to assist Nigerians willing to return as it continues to monitor developments in South Africa.