Two hundred and sixty-two Nigerians, out of around 1,000 who have said they want to leave South Africa, are expected back in the country today (Thursday), following a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said this in a statement on her X account this morning.
“There are 262 Nigerian Nationals and 3 officials on board the Aircraft in addition to the airline crew, and the evacuation flight departed this morning from Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg,” the minister said about the evacuation undertaken by Air Peace Airlines and funded by the federal government.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said that, in her absence owing to official duties in Ethiopia, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, will be at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to receive the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government.
The chartered flight is expected to land around 11:00 am (12:00 GMT).
“It will be a highly emotionally charged atmosphere as our traumatized citizens being evacuated from South Africa arrive at their home country today,” she said.
“They have been through a great ordeal, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to assure the public that the federal government, through relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, has put in place the necessary reception and support arrangements for the returnees before they are reunited with their families.”
The minister told the returning citizens: “The price of your peace and the safety of your children is worth any sacrifices you have to make, or any assets you have to leave behind when fleeing a conflict zone or hate-infested environment. Survival is the noblest form of vengeance. Your Nation is waiting to embrace you with open arms. In advance, we say, ‘Welcome back to the Motherland!’”
Anti-foreigner violence has convulsed South Africa for weeks as gangs armed with sticks, whips, and shields have marched through parts of the “rainbow nation”, demanding that people with no residency papers leave by June 30.
Foreign nationals have reported being intimidated and beaten by mobs going door to door, families have been forced from their homes, and many have left in the face of the threats.
Ghana, Mozambique, and Malawi have already repatriated hundreds of their citizens in recent weeks.
South Africa is Africa’s largest economy and hosts more than three million foreigners, just over five per cent of its population, according to the country’s statistics agency.
But unemployment exceeds 30 per cent, fuelling anger toward migrant workers.
South Africa has faced recurring waves of xenophobic violence since 2008, when dozens of migrants were killed and thousands displaced. The latest spike comes as political parties are gearing up for local government elections in November.
