Olushola Omogbehin
Sequel to the latest xenophobic attack in South Africa, the Nigerian Government has successfully evacuated another batch of its citizens.
The newly evacuated 66 people landed at the Lagos international airport on Wednesday at about 8:50 p.m. as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing evacuation exercise approved by President Bola Tinubu.
Dipo Onabowale who is the Head of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in Lagos, said the latest evacuation was facilitated by Kunle Soname, chairman and chief executive officer of ValueJet, with officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanying the returnees.
Speaking on behalf of Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NiDCOM chairman, Onabowale praised Bola Tinubu for approving the evacuation.
“There are 66 people in the second batch. Logistical challenges encountered during the first evacuation exercise are being addressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has assured that all registered Nigerians in South Africa would be evacuated.”
The evacuees expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Otunba Soname, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa Ambassador Temitope Ajayi, NiDCOM, and other government agencies involved in the exercise for their support and intervention.
MTN Nigeria provided free SIM packs loaded with data and financial support for the returnees as part of reintegration efforts.
As well, Senior Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Bolaji Idowu, donated ₦100,000 to each evacuee while Imo State indigenes among the group also received ₦1 million each through the support of Governor Hope Uzodinma.
The first batch of evacuees of about 258 arrived Nigeria via chartered Air Peace on 11th June 2026.
