The Nigerian government is making arrangements to repatriate more than 1,000 nationals from South Africa after a screening process for those desiring voluntary return. This was revealed by the head of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, during a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday.
She explained that the screening is a collaborative effort between the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the South African Department of Home Affairs. The exercise, now in its third day, has seen a significant number of Nigerians registering for the voluntary evacuation program.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that the process has been handled in an orderly and professional manner, under the guidance of Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Olatunde Ajayi. Over 1,000 individuals have already signed up, and registration remains open for others.
The repatriation flights are set to begin next week, operated by Air Peace, following President Bola Tinubu’s approval of funds for the mission. Five flights have been planned, with the first group of evacuees anticipated to arrive in Nigeria next week.
This large-scale return comes amid rising safety fears for foreign nationals following recent anti-immigrant protests in various parts of South Africa.