First batch of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa to arrive Lagos Thursday, says FG

The first batch of Nigerians to be repatriated from South Africa following the xenophobic attacks will arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on Thursday morning.

In a statement on Tuesday, Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs, pegged the flight’s expected time of arrival at 5am.

The flight, operated by Air Peace, will depart the Oliver Thambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night, the statement said.

Ebienfa noted that the federal government has fully funded the repatriation exercise and has put in place the necessary reception and support arrangements for the returnees.

“Upon arrival, the evacuees will undergo documentation and profiling procedures and will receive the appropriate assistance and support before being reunited with their families,” the statement added.

The repatriation flight, initially scheduled for Monday, was later moved to Wednesday over what Ebienfa described as “unforeseen logistical considerations”.

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, minister of foreign affairs, later said the flights were delayed to complete documentation and screening in cooperation with South African authorities.

Over 1,000 Nigerians in South Africa were said to have partaken in the screening exercise but Odumegwu-Ojukwu said “the figures keep increasing”.

Nigeria’s high commission in Pretoria said it had “negotiated waivers with host authorities” so that those with “immigration-related offences” would be allowed to leave on the eventual repatriation flights rather than be detained.

At least 270 Nigerians are expected to comprise the first batch.

The evacuation is being conducted with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other government agencies.