Two hundred and sixty-two Nigerians are on their way home from South Africa this morning, fleeing a wave of xenophobic attacks that's swept parts of the country for weeks.
The chartered Air Peace flight left OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg earlier on Thursday and is expected to land at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos around 11:00 am, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
“There are 262 Nigerian Nationals and 3 officials on board the Aircraft in addition to the airline crew,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said in a statement on her X account. The Federal Government is footing the bill for the evacuation.
This first batch is part of roughly 1,000 Nigerians who've registered to leave South Africa. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, will receive the returnees at the airport in Lagos while Odumegwu-Ojukwu is away on official duty in Ethiopia.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the atmosphere expected at the airport as “highly emotionally charged,” saying the returnees are traumatised after weeks of violence. “They've been through a great ordeal,” she said. She added that the government has set up reception and support arrangements before the returnees reunite with their families.
“The price of your peace and the safety of your children is worth any sacrifices you have to make, or any assets you have to leave behind when fleeing a conflict zone or hate-infested environment. Survival is the noblest form of vengeance. Your Nation is waiting to embrace you with open arms. In advance, we say, ‘Welcome back to the Motherland!’”
The violence has been going on for weeks. Gangs armed with sticks, whips and shields have been marching through parts of South Africa, demanding that people without residency papers leave by June 30. Foreign nationals have reported being beaten and intimidated by mobs going door to door. Families have been forced out of their homes, and many have already left.
South Africa is Africa's biggest economy, hosting more than three million foreigners — just over five per cent of its population. But unemployment is above 30 per cent, and that anger is often directed at migrant workers. The country has seen similar waves of xenophobic attacks since 2008, when dozens of migrants were killed and thousands displaced.
The latest spike comes as political parties prepare for local government elections in November.
Other African countries have already moved their citizens out. Ghana, Mozambique and Malawi have repatriated hundreds of their nationals in recent weeks.
Nigeria's government says more flights will be arranged for the remaining Nigerians who want to leave. The returnees arriving today will be processed and supported before they head back to their families.