Follow Us on Google
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that eighty-three (83) Nigerians returned to the country on Wednesday night as past of efforts to resettle those willing to leave South Africa as a result of the xenophobic attacks.
The aircraft touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with the returnees accompanied by two officials from the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, South Africa.
In a statement from the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, he said that the repatriation exercise of this batch of returnees was facilitated through the procurement of flight tickets by good-spirited private individuals, whose generous support enabled their safe return to Nigeria.
He said, “Upon arrival, the returnees were received by the Director, African Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe, who welcomed them on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Thereafter, they were handed over to the relevant Government Agencies for necessary documentation and profiling ahead of their reunification with their families.
”The Federal Government remains committed to the welfare and safe return of all Nigerian citizens abroad and expresses profound appreciation to the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, the private individuals who sponsored the exercise, and all agencies involved in ensuring a smooth reception and reintegration process.”
