Air Peace flight brings home last group of returnees amid rising xenophobic tensions.
The final batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa amid growing xenophobic tensions has arrived in Lagos.
The evacuees arrived aboard an Air Peace flight that touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 11:28 a.m.
The latest arrival marks the completion of the Federal Government’s evacuation exercise aimed at assisting Nigerians who voluntarily opted to return home following concerns over anti-immigration sentiments and xenophobic-related incidents in South Africa.
The government had earlier carried out six evacuation flights, bringing back hundreds of Nigerians as part of measures to ensure the safety and welfare of citizens affected by the situation.
In June, the Federal Government announced that Air Peace flights had been approved for the repatriation of Nigerians after more than 500 citizens were screened for evacuation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the exercise was designed to ensure that all registered Nigerians willing to return home were safely transported.
The evacuation programme was coordinated by the Federal Government in collaboration with Air Peace and other relevant agencies.