A total of 269 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa were airlifted to the southwestern state of Lagos on Tuesday, according to a statement by Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
ABUJA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- A total of 269 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa were airlifted to the southwestern state of Lagos on Tuesday, according to a statement by Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the ministry, said that officials from the Nigerian Mission in South Africa accompanied the group of 269 evacuees. Last Wednesday, another 66 Nigerians returned aboard a South African Airways flight arranged by a Nigerian benefactor.
Ebienfa said the evacuation process remains ongoing, with more Nigerians having been screened and cleared for repatriation in the coming days.
The returnees will undergo documentation, profiling and medical screening before receiving temporary accommodation and other assistance ahead of reunification with their families.
South Africa has recently witnessed a wave of anti-immigration protests, with organizers citing unemployment, crime and pressure on public services as major concerns.
Some anti-immigration groups have called on undocumented foreigners to leave the country by June 30 and have threatened to stage nationwide protests if their demands are not met.
The first batch of 258 Nigerian nationals evacuated from South Africa arrived in Lagos on June 11. ■
