MORE than 300 Nigerians arrived in the country’s commercial capital, Lagos on Wednesday, having been evacuated from South Africa, following the recent wave of xenophobic attacks.
Local media reported that an Air Peace plane with 315 Nigerians aboard landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday night. This is the second batch of returnees, following last week’s 187.
The Lagos state government reportedly gave $55 to each returnee, with a pledge that they would be transferred to the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, where they can be equipped with different skills.
Nigeria’s government has urged its citizens who are stranded in South Africa to return home, as the latter cracks down on immigrants without proper documentation.
South Africa apologises
Nigeria’s president on Monday thanked his South African counterpart for sending a special envoy to apologise over the recent xenophobic attacks.
The special envoy, Jeff Radebe told President Muhammadu Buhari that the attacks on foreigners do not represent South Africa’s “value system, nor those of the larger number of South Africans”.
Radebe regretted the loss of life during the attacks in which 8 South Africans and 2 Zimbabweans were killed, adding that his country is committed to peace and integration of the continent.
Over the weekend, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he would send high-ranking emissaries to reassure different African countries following the xenophobic attacks, in which their nationals were targeted.
Radebe and Buhari, both highlighted the role that Nigeria played during the liberation struggle to end the apartheid system in South Africa.
Buhari is scheduled to visit South Africa next month, a visit that Radebe hopes will solidify the relationship between the two countries.
September 12: South Africa ‘blocking’ Nigerian returnees
The first batch of Nigerians fleeing xenophobic violence in South Africa returned home via the commercial city of Lagos.
But head of Nigeria’s Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa says South Africa had blocked a number of them from leaving, citing documentation issues. Reports have said around 600 Nigerians in total were scheduled to return home.
The contingent of about 200 people were flown in aboard privately-owned Nigerian airline, Air Peace.
Asked about why only 200 nationals had returned, she responded on Twitter: “South Africa denied almost half of them from coming yesterday. They claimed documentation. But they will still return subsequently.”
A number of the returnees expressed joy at being home while condemning the violence by South African thugs which forced their decision.
Some of them displayed “No to Xenophobia” placards as they descended from the flight. Amongst them were adults, teenagers and children. The airline has been roundly hailed for the gesture, its officials joined in the “No To Xenophobia” campaign.
Emmanuel Iyoha, a returnee told the press: “I went there to South Africa when I was just 6 years old, I spent about 10 years there so coming back, it’s a new experience so I am happy because I feel safe.
“… normally even to go to school I’m scared to go to school and all that like sometimes I can’t even think when my sister is at work, so she is the one I have been thinking of since but I’m happy that I am here.”
“With the whole situation, killing and looting shops and everything. I just decided no, it’s time to come back home,” Temilade Tosunde also said.
