A second group of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in the country following recent xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant protests in the southern African nation.
The 66 returnees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, at about 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday, where they were received by a delegation of the Federal Government.
Officials from several government agencies were on hand to receive and document the evacuees. The agencies included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The returnees voluntarily chose to leave South Africa amid growing concerns over xenophobic violence and anti-immigrant demonstrations targeting foreign nationals.
The latest arrivals bring the number of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa to 324, following the arrival of the first batch of 258 evacuees on June 11 aboard a chartered Air Peace flight.
The Federal Government has continued to coordinate the evacuation process and provide support for affected citizens returning home.
