83 More Nigerians Return Home Amid Xenophobic Attacks

A recent repatriation effort saw 83 Nigerians return to Nigeria from South Africa, bringing the total number of repatriated citizens to 1,476 due to concerns over xenophobic attacks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by spokesman Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed that the returnees arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, aboard a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg.

Two officials from the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Johannesburg accompanied the returnees. Upon arrival, they were welcomed by Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe, the Director of the African Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Federal Government.

The returnees were then handed over to relevant government agencies for documentation and profiling before being reunited with their families. The ministry acknowledged the contributions of private sponsors and the Nigerian Mission in South Africa in facilitating the repatriation, emphasizing the government's commitment to the welfare and safe return of Nigerian citizens abroad.