A total of eighty-three Nigerian nationals have been successfully repatriated from South Africa, marking a significant development in the nation’s ongoing efforts to assist citizens abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the safe arrival of the returnees late Wednesday night in an official statement released to the public.
The group touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard a South African Airways flight originating from Johannesburg.
Throughout the journey, the returnees were closely accompanied by two dedicated officials from the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Johannesburg to ensure a smooth transit.
According to the ministry, the entire repatriation exercise was made possible through the generosity of good-spirited private individuals.
These donors personally funded the flight tickets, enabling the stranded citizens to make their way back home safely without financial burden.
Upon landing, Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe, the Director of the African Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officially received the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government.
They were subsequently handed over to the relevant security and humanitarian agencies for necessary documentation and profiling procedures.
Concluding the statement, the ministry reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the welfare of all Nigerians living abroad.
It also expressed deep appreciation to the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, the anonymous private sponsors, and partner agencies for their collaborative efforts in ensuring a seamless reception and reintegration process.
