Xenophobia: FG reschedules evacuation of Nigerians in South Africa

The Federal Government has rescheduled the evacuation of the first batch of Nigerians in South Africa following the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in the former apartheid enclave.

This was stated by the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

He said the proposed transport of the first batch of refugees returning from South Africa scheduled for Monday had been rescheduled to Wednesday due to logistical considerations.

He added that President Bola Tinubu had approved five evacuation flights operated by Air Peace.

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The spokesperson said the first flight expected to carry around 270 passengers would leave Johannesburg on the eve of the new date, once all necessary permits and clearances for the aircraft had been obtained.

He also confirmed that the federal government had extended screening of Nigerians seeking evacuation from South Africa until Wednesday.

”I received confirmation from our Mission in Pretoria that the screening of Nigerian nationals, who have indicated interest in being evacuated back to their hometowns, has been extended until Wednesday.

“So far, more than 500 people have been screened and declared clean,” Ebienfa said