Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, will today receive the first batch of 268 Nigerians being evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in the country.

The Federal Government said the returnees were expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard an Air Peace evacuation flight scheduled to land at about 5:00 a.m.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Ambassador Enikanolaiye will receive the evacuees on behalf of the Federal Government, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to the welfare and protection of its citizens abroad.

The ministry disclosed that the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, will accompany the 268 passengers from Pretoria and formally hand them over to the minister upon arrival in Lagos.

The statement noted that the reception of the returnees reflected the Federal Government’s importance attached to the well-being of Nigerians living outside the country and aligned with its citizen-focused foreign policy objectives.

It also announced an extension of the screening exercise being conducted by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for citizens willing to return home voluntarily.

According to the statement, the exercise, initially expected to close earlier, will now continue until June 14 to enable more Nigerians affected by the crisis to register for evacuation.

It stated that comprehensive arrangements had been made to receive the returnees, including documentation, profiling and support services to facilitate their reintegration and reunion with family members.

The ministry added that relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies had been mobilised to ensure a seamless reception process and provide the necessary assistance to those affected by the violence.

The evacuation follows a fresh wave of anti-foreigner attacks in parts of South Africa, which prompted hundreds of Nigerians to indicate interest in returning home. Nigerian authorities recently confirmed that more than 1,000 citizens had sought voluntary repatriation amid fears for their safety.