The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the final flight in the emergency operation touched down in Lagos, carrying 305 returnees and two government coordinators from Johannesburg. This marked the fifth specialized evacuation flight organized by the government to rescue vulnerable nationals, News.Az reports, citing Reuters.
The decision to launch the emergency flights followed urgent bilateral talks between Abuja and South African authorities. The discussions were prompted by escalating security concerns and targeted xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals, including the Nigerian diaspora.
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Tensions have flared significantly in South Africa following an unofficial June 30 deadline set by local anti-immigrant groups demanding undocumented migrants leave the country.
Nigeria has strongly condemned the recent wave of violence, demanding accountability for the deaths of at least two Nigerian nationals who were allegedly assaulted by local security officers.
While Nigeria and South Africa share deep-rooted economic and political ties, Nigerian foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa emphasized that the government will not tolerate racial prejudice or violence directed toward its people.
With the evacuation complete, the Nigerian government is shifting its focus to helping the nearly 1,500 returnees reintegrate and rebuild their lives back home.
