Morganable Politics/Policy&Diaspora
The evacuees, many of whom had faced uncertainty and distress in South Africa, expressed gratitude to the administration of Bola Tinubu for approving the evacuation exercise
kaNo —
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has confirmed the arrival of the final batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa, bringing to a close a multi-phase repatriation exercise initiated by the Federal Government amid rising concerns over xenophobic attacks.
The last group of 40 stranded Nigerians touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Friday night aboard a chartered Air Peace flight, completing the sixth and final batch of evacuations. With their arrival, the total number of returnees under the exercise rose to 1,174.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the evacuation involved a series of coordinated flights that brought home stranded Nigerians in phases.
According to him, earlier batches comprised 258, 266, 262, 282, and 66 returnees transported through Air Peace and ValueJet, before the final group of 40 arrived.
“The returnees came through Air Peace in four different flights of 258, 266, 262, 282, ValueJet 66, and the sixth batch came in a chartered flight with 40 Nigerians,” the statement noted.
The evacuees, many of whom had faced uncertainty and distress in South Africa, expressed gratitude to the administration of Bola Tinubu for approving the evacuation exercise.
At the airport, NiDCOM officials, alongside representatives of several government agencies, received the returnees and commenced documentation and reintegration processes.
Agencies present included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and National Identity Management Commission, among others.
Balogun noted that the returnees were received warmly and provided with immediate support, including financial assistance and welfare packages from both government and private organisations.
Returnees Recieve Support And Welfare Packages
Among the interventions announced, returnees from Imo State received N1 million each through Governor Hope Uzodimma.
State governments of Edo and Delta also announced support packages for their indigenes, although details were not immediately disclosed.
Civil society and faith-based organisations equally contributed to the reintegration effort.
The JAAL Foundation pledged empowerment support for 50 female returnees, while the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries Worldwide, Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, offered free accommodation for about 52 returnees, alongside skills acquisition programmes and educational support for their children up to university level.
Similarly, Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters Church donated N100,000 each to 66 returnees, while Cruxstone, a real estate firm, provided financial assistance to earlier batches of evacuees.
“The returnees were full of gratitude for the donations, support and warm welcome received,” Balogun added.
The evacuation exercise comes against the backdrop of renewed xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where Nigerians and other African nationals have faced recurring attacks, harassment, and discrimination.
Reps Urges Diplomatic Engagements With South Africa
Reflecting growing concern over the situation, the House of Representatives Nigeria on Thursday condemned the latest wave of xenophobic violence and called on the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic engagement with South Africa.
While some lawmakers advocated the suspension of diplomatic relations with South Africa, the House rejected such proposals, opting instead for sustained diplomatic pressure.
Presenting the motion, Gagdi said repeated xenophobic attacks had led to loss of lives, destruction of businesses, and forced displacement of African migrants, despite years of bilateral engagements between Nigeria and South Africa.
He cited recent reports indicating a fresh escalation of attacks affecting not only Nigerians but also citizens of Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi residing legally in South Africa.
According to the lawmaker, the Nigerian government recently confirmed the deaths of two Nigerians, including one who allegedly died in police custody and another reportedly killed outside his business premises.
Gagdi said the incidents underscored the vulnerability of Nigerians in South Africa, despite assurances from authorities in Pretoria that foreign nationals would be protected.
Rep Recalls Nigeria’s Historic Role in South Africa’s Liberation
He further reminded lawmakers of Nigeria’s historic role in supporting South Africa’s liberation struggle against apartheid, noting that the country committed significant resources to the anti-apartheid movement in the spirit of African solidarity.
“It is therefore profoundly disturbing that Nigerians and other Africans are now facing persecution, humiliation, and violent attacks in the very country whose freedom Nigeria helped to secure,” he said.
The lawmaker warned that the recurring attacks appeared increasingly systematic and deadly, attributing their persistence to a lack of accountability for perpetrators.
He also criticised what he described as inflammatory remarks by a South African government official, warning that such rhetoric could further inflame tensions and embolden attackers.
Gagdi argued that the situation undermines the core principles of African unity, Pan-Africanism, and regional integration, which form the foundation of the African Union.
He referenced Section 19 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which commits the country to promoting African integration and international cooperation, as well as international human rights frameworks such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Analysts say the successful evacuation of stranded Nigerians represents a swift humanitarian response by the Federal Government but caution that long-term solutions will depend on addressing the root causes of xenophobia and strengthening diplomatic relations.
They note that while evacuation provides immediate relief, it also highlights the need for sustained engagement between African nations to ensure the safety and dignity of citizens across borders.
For the 1,174 Nigerians who have now returned home, the focus shifts to rebuilding their lives after months of uncertainty abroad. For policymakers, however, the challenge remains how to prevent future crises and ensure that Nigerians living overseas are adequately protected.
