FG Prepares Airlift Of Nigerians From South Africa As Verification Exercise Nears Completion

The Federal Government has begun plans for the evacuation of Nigerians willing to return from South Africa, with arrangements for aircraft deployment expected to commence after the completion of an ongoing screening and verification exercise.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the verification process, which started on Thursday and concludes today, will determine the final number of Nigerians eligible for evacuation and guide the logistics of the repatriation operation.

Spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the exercise is being carried out by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria in collaboration with South African authorities, including the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), police and immigration officials.

He explained that the screening is aimed at confirming the identities, immigration status and travel documentation of prospective returnees to ensure a seamless evacuation process.

“At the end of the screening, we will have a definite figure that have been cleared for evacuation. Thereafter, government will finalise the details about deployment of aircraft to bring them home,” Ebienfa said.

The planned airlift follows renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa amid reports of attacks, harassment and growing anti-immigrant sentiments in some communities.

Reports indicate that more than 1,000 Nigerians have registered for the voluntary evacuation programme, seeking assistance to return home.

The latest development comes against the backdrop of recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa, which has periodically strained relations between Africa’s two largest economies.

Previous outbreaks of anti-foreigner attacks in 2008, 2015 and 2019 resulted in deaths, injuries and the destruction of businesses owned by foreign nationals, including Nigerians.

Officials said the final outcome of the screening exercise would help determine the number of aircraft required, flight schedules and arrangements for receiving evacuees upon arrival in Nigeria.

The Federal Government also assured affected citizens that it remains in close contact with South African authorities to ensure their safety while evacuation plans are being finalised.

With the verification process nearing completion, attention is now focused on the deployment of aircraft that will bring eligible Nigerians home in what is expected to be one of the largest recent voluntary repatriation efforts involving Nigerians in South Africa.