By Xenophobia: 187 Nigerians Depart South Africa, Arrives Lagos, Nigeria
Taiwo Ajao
Nigerians who have been to feel threatened by the xenophobic attacks having been leaving the rainbow nation in droves.
The urge to leave the former apartheid country was informed by late last months attacks on foreign particularly blacks many whom are of Nigerian origin.
In the heat of the crisis, the proprietor of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, had provided an aircraft to evacuate Nigerians who wished to return home on account of the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Nigeria Foreign Affair Ministry confirmed this and also bring to notice of the public to inform their relatives who are interested in coming back to Nigeria without paying a dime.
The flight sent out on 6th of September was to convey interested Nigerians.
After few delays as identified on the twitter account of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, 187 Nigerians were received at the Muritala Muhammed airport yesterday.
Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) wrote, ” “the take-off from South Africa was delayed for over five hours by the South African Immigration/ security. Good news is they have finally taken off, ” when the aeroplane from South Africa was about to take off.
The Commission’s office account @nidcom_gov later tweeted, “PHOTOS: The Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa while receiving the 187
Nigerians from South Africa some minutes ago, ” to announce the arrival of the returnees.
The Boeing 777 airline with 178 Nigerians on board landed yesterday at 9:37 pm at the Muritala Mohammed Airport, Lagos after many hours of anxiety.
The Officials of the Commission said the plane was delayed due to slow checking in and clearance procedure by immigration.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 640 Nigerians have indicated their desire to return from South Africa and had registered to do so, adding that the second batch would depart Johannesburg for Nigeria on Friday.
