The ongoing evacuation of stranded Nigerians from South Africa received another boost on Friday night as 40 more citizens arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, bringing the total number of returnees under the sixth evacuation exercise to 1,174.

The latest group arrived aboard a chartered flight, according to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), which confirmed the development in a statement issued on Saturday.

NiDCOM disclosed that the evacuation exercise was carried out through multiple flights operated by Air Peace and ValueJet, alongside the chartered aircraft. Air Peace transported returnees in four separate flights carrying 258, 266, 262 and 282 passengers respectively, while ValueJet airlifted 66 Nigerians. The final batch of 40 arrived on the chartered flight.

The returnees, who touched down in Lagos on Friday night, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving their immediate evacuation from South Africa. They also commended everyone who played a role in facilitating their safe return to Nigeria.


Among those acknowledged were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria's Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi; and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa. Officials of the commission were present at the airport to receive the returnees and coordinate support for them.

Several state governments and private organisations also announced relief packages to assist the returnees as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives.

NiDCOM revealed that returnees from Imo State received financial support of ₦1 million each through Governor Hope Uzodimma. Telecommunications company MTN also donated free SIM packs loaded with data valued at ₦50,000, in addition to ₦100,000 cash support that will be credited to the bank accounts of all the returnees.

The commission added that officials from Edo and Delta states also announced assistance packages from their respective governments for citizens returning home.

Support also came from the private and faith-based sectors. JAAL Foundation pledged empowerment assistance for 50 female returnees to help them regain financial stability.

NiDCOM further commended the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, for providing free accommodation to about 52 returnees. The support package also includes skills acquisition programmes for families and free education for their children up to university level.

The commission also acknowledged the contribution of Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters Church, who donated ₦100,000 each to 66 returnees. Real estate firm Cruxstone was equally praised for providing financial assistance to the first batch of evacuees.

Several government agencies were present at the airport to receive and document the returnees. They included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as well as other security agencies.

The latest arrivals mark another phase in the government's coordinated efforts to safely repatriate Nigerians from South Africa while ensuring they receive immediate humanitarian assistance and support for reintegration into society.