The first batch of 187 Nigerians in South Africa have returned to Nigeria after the xenophobic attacks.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the returnees were
aided by the Federal Government with the assistance of a Nigerian
carrier, Air Peace.
The B777 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BWI, which departed
Thambo International Airport, Johannesburg, landed at the Cargo Wing of
the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 9.37 p.m.
The returnees included adults, children and infants, who expressed
joy on returning home safely and sang the Nigerian National Anthem.
They were received by the Chairman of Nigeria Diaspora Commission,
Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Air Peace Chairman, Mr Allen Onyema, and the
representatives of government which included the National Emergency
Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Immigration Service and the Federal
Airports Authority of Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa told newsmen that over 600 Nigerians had indicated
interest to return from South Africa, adding that the government was
ready to assist them to settle back in the country through its various
social intervention programmes.
She said the Bank of Industry had also been mobilised to assist those willing to acquire vocational skills.
According to her, stipends will be given to these Nigerians to enable
them get back to their respective states, while telecommunication
company, MTN, will also give them pre-loaded Sim cards of N6, 000 to
assist them.
Onyema told newsmen that the airline spent over N300 million to
airlift the affected Nigerians in the bid to support the Federal
Government.
“We want to send a signal to the world that Nigerians are their brother’s keepers and
“I support the Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari and
this gesture is an assistance to the government to bring our brothers
back home.
“We are offering free trip to Nigerians in South Africa to return
home after going through the traumatic experience of the attacks.
“Air Peace has said this is free and we are doing it in solidarity with the Federal Government,” Onyema said.
Two of the returnees, Mr John Onuoha from Abia and Jude Anthony from
Edo, told newsmen that they were unjustly attacked by South Africans,
who destroyed their businesses and properties in fresh xenophobic
attacks which began on Aug. 29.
They praised Air Peace for the kind gesture, stressing that there was no place like home.