Nigeria continued the evacuation of its citizens affected by anti-migrant violence in South Africa on Friday as another batch of returnees arrived safely in Lagos.
The evacuation flight landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport with 268 Nigerians, two officers and crew members on board.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the Federal Government funded the special charter flight. Air Peace operated the aircraft, which departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 5:36 a.m.
She said President Bola Tinubu ordered the evacuation to continue despite the June 30 deadline issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the government had already evacuated almost 600 Nigerians in three earlier flights before the latest operation.
She added that officials would continue the evacuation for Nigerians who registered voluntarily and passed the screening process.
The minister said protecting Nigerians abroad remains a top priority for the Federal Government. She described the welfare of citizens overseas as a key part of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She also said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue to assist Nigerians facing danger outside the country.
The latest evacuation followed weeks of anti-migrant protests across South Africa.
Thousands of demonstrators marched through several cities and demanded the removal of undocumented foreign nationals.
Police deployed heavily across affected areas to maintain order during the protests.
Authorities reported isolated cases of looting, stone-throwing and clashes between protesters and foreign nationals.
Police said the violence claimed the lives of at least four migrants, including two Mozambicans, one Ethiopian and one Malawian.
The Nigerian government said it would also pursue compensation for citizens who abandoned businesses and other property because of the unrest.
Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, said officials have started documenting businesses, vehicles and other assets left behind by returnees.
He said the records would support discussions with the South African government on possible compensation.
Ajayi urged returnees to provide accurate information about their businesses and property.
He said Nigerian officials would work with South African authorities to verify the claims before seeking compensation.
Several African countries, including Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, have also organised voluntary evacuation programmes for their citizens following the unrest.
