A fresh batch of 67 Nigerians repatriated from South Africa has arrived in Lagos amid growing concerns over xenophobic incidents and protests targeting foreign nationals in the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that the returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday night aboard a South African Airways flight. They were received by officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
The latest repatriation came about a week after 83 Nigerians were brought back from South Africa, bringing the number of Nigerians returned in the two recent batches to 150. The exercises were facilitated and funded by private individuals.
Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the latest exercise was carried out against the backdrop of continuing concerns about the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa. She cited reports of ongoing xenophobic incidents and protests by groups calling for foreign nationals to leave the country.
According to the minister, the 67 returnees comprise 30 adults, 34 children and one infant. They are from Lagos, Enugu, Kogi, Ogun, Imo, Oyo, Delta, Edo, Anambra, Osun, Benue, Abia and Kwara states.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu appealed to state governments to support the returnees, noting that many had left behind livelihoods and properties in South Africa. She urged the states to assist with their relocation and resettlement and help ease the trauma associated with their return.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the coordinator of the repatriation exercise, Ikem Ume-Ezeoke, and businessman Charles Mba addressed the returnees after their arrival. Each returnee was also given ₦50,000 as financial support.
The repatriation comes as South Africa faces renewed tensions over xenophobic attacks against migrants. An AFP tally cited by Channels Television puts the number of people who have left South Africa in recent weeks at more than 176,000, while South African police have reported at least four migrant deaths linked to the violence.
Nigeria has also been pushing for the issue of anti-migrant violence to receive attention at the African Union level, amid recurring diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa over attacks on Nigerians.
