The Federal Government has commenced the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants in the country.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed on Friday that the first batch of evacuees was on its way to Nigeria, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to ensure the safety and welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad.

In a statement posted on her official X handle, the minister said the evacuation was ordered under the Citizen Diplomacy policy of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to protect Nigerians who consider their lives at risk due to the escalating attacks.

According to her, the operation is being carried out by Air Peace Airlines and fully funded by the Federal Government.

“The evacuation of imperiled Nigerian citizens who consider their lives at risk by continued stay in South Africa has been ordered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in line with the Citizen Diplomacy imperatives of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she stated.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed that a total of 262 Nigerian nationals and three government officials were on board the evacuation flight, in addition to the airline crew.

She explained that the aircraft departed from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Friday morning and was expected to arrive in Nigeria later in the day.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, is expected to receive the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that she would not be present to receive the evacuees because she is currently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she is finalising arrangements for the transfer of more than 100 Nigerian prisoners serving sentences in Ethiopian correctional facilities back to Nigeria.

She revealed that the inmates are being held at Kaliti and Aba Samuel prisons in Addis Ababa and that efforts are underway to facilitate their return to complete the remainder of their jail terms in Nigeria.

The minister expressed concern over the condition of the prisoners, disclosing that four Nigerians had already died while in custody due to health-related complications and other factors.
“We cannot afford to lose any more,” she said.

She further stated that the Federal Government had put in place adequate reception and support mechanisms for the returning evacuees, who she described as traumatised by their experiences in South Africa.

According to her, relevant ministries, departments and agencies have been mobilised to provide necessary assistance before the returnees are reunited with their families.

“It will be a highly emotionally charged atmosphere as our traumatised citizens being evacuated from South Africa arrive in their home country today. They have been through a great ordeal,” she said.

Addressing the returnees, Odumegwu-Ojukwu encouraged them to remain resilient despite the losses they may have suffered.

“For every wound there is a scar, and every scar tells a story — a story that says, ‘I have survived.’ The price of your peace and the safety of your children is worth any sacrifices you have to make, or any assets you have to leave behind when fleeing a conflict zone or hate-infested environment. Survival is the noblest form of vengeance,” she stated.

She assured the evacuees that Nigeria was ready to receive and support them as they begin rebuilding their lives.

“Your nation is waiting to embrace you with open arms. Welcome back to the Motherland,” the minister added.