Eighty-three Nigerians have returned to the country from South Africa amid renewed concerns over xenophobic and anti-foreigner attacks in the country.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday aboard a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Nigerians were accompanied by two officials from the Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the repatriation was made possible by private individuals who provided funds for the returnees’ flight tickets.
The returnees were received on behalf of the Federal Government by Haruna Ali-Gombe, Director of the African Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ebienfa said the returnees were handed over to relevant government agencies for documentation and profiling before being reunited with their families.
The latest exercise adds to the number of Nigerians who have voluntarily returned from South Africa following concerns over attacks and discrimination against foreigners.
The Federal Government has also called for urgent measures to address xenophobic and Afrophobic violence in South Africa, stressing the need for stronger migration management, responsible leadership and closer ties among African countries.
