Nigerian evacuees set to arrive in Lagos Thursday amid South Africa xenophobic attacks

The first batch of Nigerian nationals being evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks is expected to arrive in Lagos on Thursday, June 11.

The evacuation comes amid reports of continued attacks on foreign-owned businesses linked to protests over illegal immigration, a situation that has heightened tensions across the continent.

Several African countries, including Ghana, have begun evacuating their citizens as concerns over safety continue to grow.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 9, Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the first group of about 500 evacuees would depart Johannesburg on Wednesday night aboard an Air Peace flight.

"The first batch of Nigerian nationals that will be evacuated from the Republic of South Africa due to Xenophobic attacks will depart the Oliver Thambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night, and the expected time of arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos is 5.00am on Thursday morning," the ministry said.

According to the statement, the Federal Government of Nigeria is fully funding the evacuation exercise, meaning affected citizens will not bear any transportation costs.

The ministry indicated that arrangements had been made to ensure the safe reception and reintegration of the returnees upon arrival.

"The Federal Government of Nigeria has fully funded the evacuation exercise; consequently, all affected Nigerians will be repatriated at no cost to them," the statement added.

The ministry further assured the public that relevant government agencies had put in place measures to support the evacuees after their arrival in Nigeria.

It said the returnees would undergo documentation and profiling procedures and receive the necessary assistance before being reunited with their families.