The Federal Government is set to receive 268 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in the country.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, will this morning receive the returnees on behalf of the federal government at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
This was disclosed yesterday in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the statement, the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, will accompany the first batch of evacuees to Nigeria and formally hand them over to the minister upon arrival.
The ministry stated that the Air Peace evacuation flight conveying the returnees is expected to land in Lagos at about 5:00 a.m. today.
It further revealed that the ongoing screening exercise for Nigerians willing to voluntarily return home as a result of the xenophobic attacks has been extended to Sunday, June 14, 2026, to enable more affected persons to register for evacuation.
The ministry explained that the extension underscores the federal government’s commitment to the welfare, safety and protection of Nigerians living abroad.
It also assured that relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) had concluded adequate arrangements for the reception, documentation and support of the returnees upon arrival in the country.
The latest evacuation follows rising concerns over recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa, which has continued to threaten the safety and livelihood of many African migrants, including Nigerians.
