So far, the Federal Government has evacuated 501 Nigerians following xenophobic attacks on them by South African locals.
Last Wednesday, 187 Nigerians alighted from the Air Peace Boeing 777 aircraft that flew them into Lagos and were the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
This as the second batch of 314 Nigerian returnees fleeing from xenophobic attacks in South Africa arrived in Nigeria on Wednesday, September 18.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fleeing returnees were aided by the Federal Government with the assistance of a Nigerian carrier, Air Peace.
The B777 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BWI, which departed Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, landed at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 7.22 p.m.
They were received by the Chairman of Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Air Peace Chairman, Mr Allen Onyema, and the representatives of government which included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Immigration Service and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
The 314 returnees and the Head of Immigration and Consular Matters at Nigeria’s Consulate General in Johannesburg, Mr. Anthony Ogbe, had boarded the Air Peace flight and left South Africa around 3:00 pm on Wednesday.
About 319 Nigerians were initially billed to return on Tuesday in the wake of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
But their flight was delayed as a result of the airline not obtaining a landing permit on time.
Of the expected passengers, four were later dropped over documentation issues.
When the first batch touched down last week, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa had informed the returnees that the Government has made available to them N40,000 recharge card to enable them communicate with their family members.
Dabiri-Erewa told newsmen that over 600 Nigerians had indicated interest to return from South Africa, adding that the government was ready to assist them to settle back in the country through its various social intervention programmes.
She said the Bank of Industry had also been mobilised to assist those willing to acquire vocational skills.
According to her, stipends will be given to these Nigerians to enable them get back to their respective states, while telecommunication company, MTN, will also give them pre-loaded Sim cards of N6,000 to assist them.
Onyema told newsmen that the airline spent over N300 million to airlift the affected Nigerians in the bid to to support the Federal Government.
“We want to send a signal to the world that Nigerians are their brother’s keepers.
“I support the Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari and this gesture is an assistance to the government to bring our brothers back home.
“We are offering free trip to Nigerians in South Africa to return home after going through the traumatic experience of the attacks.
“Air Peace has said this is free and we are doing it in solidarity with the Federal Government,” Onyema said.
The returnees included adults, children and infants, who expressed joy on returning home safely and sang the Nigerian National Anthem.
President Buhari, had on September 8, ordered the immediate evacuation of Nigerians who had indicated interest to leave South Africa after receiving report from the Special Envoy deployed to the country.
The government has also issued travel advice to Nigerians intending to visit South Africa due to the xenophobic attacks.
