The Federal Government has completed the evacuation of 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks and other security concerns affecting foreign nationals in the country.
The exercise ended with the arrival of the fifth and final humanitarian flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, bringing home the last batch of 305 Nigerians who had requested assistance to return.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the completion of the operation in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the final evacuation flight was operated by Air Peace and departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg before landing safely in Lagos on Tuesday.
The ministry said three Nigerian government officials travelled on the aircraft to oversee the final phase of the evacuation and ensure that the returnees arrived safely.
It explained that the humanitarian operation was carried out through a partnership involving the Federal Government, Air Peace Limited and South African Airways after weeks of diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and South Africa.
The statement said the successful completion of the exercise marked the return of all 1,490 Nigerians scheduled for evacuation.
“With the completion of the evacuation exercise, the Federal Government has successfully returned 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa through a coordinated humanitarian airlift carried out in partnership with Air Peace Limited and South African Airways,” the ministry stated.
It added that the evacuation became necessary following security concerns linked to xenophobic attacks directed at foreign nationals, including Nigerians living and working in South Africa.
“The evacuation was carried out after sustained engagement with the South African Government and in response to security concerns arising from xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals, including Nigerians,” the statement added.
The Federal Government said it remains committed to protecting the lives and welfare of Nigerian citizens wherever they live.
It assured that diplomatic discussions with South African authorities would continue to ensure that Nigerians and other foreign nationals living in the country enjoy adequate protection and are able to live peacefully.
“Nigeria will continue to engage constructively with the South African Government through diplomatic channels to promote the safety, security and peaceful coexistence of all residents,” the ministry said.
The ministry also advised Nigerians living outside the country to respect the laws of their host nations and maintain close contact with Nigerian diplomatic missions.
According to the statement, this will make it easier for embassies and consulates to provide assistance during emergencies.
“Nigerians living abroad are encouraged to obey the laws of their host countries, register with the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission and maintain regular contact with embassy officials to ensure they can receive prompt assistance whenever the need arises,” the ministry said.
The latest evacuation comes against the backdrop of recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals have, over the years, been targeted during outbreaks of attacks linked to unemployment, crime and economic hardship.
Although the South African government has repeatedly condemned such attacks and promised to prosecute those responsible, incidents of violence against migrants have continued to raise concern across Africa.
Nigerians have often been among those affected because they form one of the largest African communities living in South Africa. Many reside there for business, education, employment and other economic opportunities.
Previous waves of xenophobic violence have resulted in deaths, injuries and the destruction of homes, shops and businesses owned by foreign nationals.
Several Nigerian-owned businesses have been looted or set on fire during past attacks, leading to diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa.
The two countries have maintained strong political and economic ties since the end of apartheid, but xenophobic attacks have periodically strained their relationship.
In response to previous incidents, Nigeria has repeatedly called on the South African government to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and that adequate protection is provided for foreign nationals.
Successive Nigerian administrations have also organised evacuation flights for citizens who chose to return home after losing their businesses or feeling unsafe.
Air Peace has played a major role in many of those evacuation exercises.
The airline previously provided humanitarian flights to bring stranded Nigerians back home during earlier xenophobic attacks in South Africa, as well as during international emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts in other countries.
For many of the returnees, the journey home marks the end of a difficult experience after living under fear and uncertainty.
Some are expected to reunite with their families after leaving behind jobs, businesses and personal belongings because of the security situation.
The Federal Government has not disclosed whether additional support packages will be provided to help the returnees reintegrate into society, but officials have reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the interests of Nigerians both at home and abroad.
As the evacuation exercise comes to an end, attention is expected to shift to continued diplomatic engagement between Abuja and Pretoria to prevent future attacks and strengthen the protection of Nigerians residing in South Africa.