Yasmin Bilal
Nigeria has evacuated another group of its citizens from South Africa. A fourth charter flight departed OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg as anti migrant protests and attacks continue in parts of the country.
The Air Peace flight left Johannesburg carrying 287 Nigerian nationals. On board were 272 adults and 12 infants, together with airline crew and Nigerian government officials.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the operation forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to assist citizens who no longer feel safe remaining in South Africa.
“The fourth evacuation flight, conveying our nationals back from South Africa following xenophobic protests and attacks ongoing in that country, departed OR Tambo International Airport today,” said Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
She said the aircraft originally scheduled to operate the flight could not depart after its windscreen reportedly shattered in Johannesburg.
Air Peace quickly deployed a replacement aircraft, allowing the evacuation to continue without further delay.
“Air Peace swiftly deployed a replacement aircraft to facilitate this operation,” she said.
The flight was expected to arrive in Nigeria at about 7.30 pm local time.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Nigerian government would continue to assist citizens who choose to return home due to the ongoing unrest.
“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains committed to providing a pathway to safety for its citizens who consider themselves and their families at risk by remaining in South Africa as a result of the anti migrant protests and incidents which have engulfed the country,” she said.
She added: “To the returnees, we say, ‘Welcome Home.'”
The latest operation brings the total number of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa to 1,141 since the voluntary evacuation programme began in June.
Hundreds of Nigerian nationals have returned home on a series of chartered Air Peace flights after registering to leave South Africa.
The repatriation programme has been coordinated by the Nigerian government, the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs.
The Nigerian government said the voluntary evacuation programme will remain available to citizens who wish to return home. Support will continue for those who believe leaving South Africa is the safest option.
South African law enforcement agencies and government departments have continued responding to incidents linked to anti migrant protests.
Government leaders have also repeatedly condemned violence and intimidation directed at foreign nationals.