•Arrival of Nigerian returnees from South Africa
A total of 67 Nigerian returnees from South Africa have arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State.
The returnees landed via South Africa Airways at exactly 8:45 pm yesterday and were received by some federal government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, reports Channels TV.
The South West coordinator of the agency, Alex Oturu, said the return of this batch of Nigerians due to xenophobic challenges in the rainbow nation was facilitated by good-spirited Nigerians who assisted with their flight tickets and other assistance.
A total of 83 Nigerians returned from the xenophobic country last Thursday.
South Africa has long been a magnet for migrants.
But it has seen recurring bouts of anti-migrant violence for nearly two decades, with protests intensifying this year after vigilante groups ordered undocumented foreigners to leave by June 30.
More than 176,000 people have left in recent weeks, according to an AFP tally based on figures provided by African countries that have repatriated their nationals.
At least four migrants have been killed in the violence, according to the South African police, though some foreign governments say the death toll is higher.
Ghana, which has been an outspoken critic of the fatal attacks, has called for an African Union debate on the anti-migrant violence at the next AU summit early next year.
Nigeria, which has also clashed diplomatically with South Africa over recurring attacks on its citizens, has likewise pushed to put the issue on the AU’s agenda.
