The Federal Government says another 271 Nigerians affected by the recent anti-immigration unrest in South Africa are expected to arrive in Lagos today as the evacuation exercise continues.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government said the latest group is scheduled to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard a special evacuation flight.
According to the ministry, the latest arrival will bring the government closer to completing the evacuation of Nigerians who voluntarily registered to return home.
So far, 593 Nigerians have already been evacuated through previous operations.
The ministry said the first batch of 258 returnees arrived on June 11, while another 66 Nigerians returned on June 24 through a flight sponsored by a private philanthropist after delays affected the second evacuation exercise.
A further 269 evacuees arrived on June 30 aboard another government-arranged flight.
The government also announced plans to operate three additional evacuation flights to bring home about 700 more Nigerians who have completed registration and security screening.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed allegations that officials of the Nigerian High Commission demanded money from intending evacuees.
It described the claims as false, stressing that all evacuation flights are fully funded by the Federal Government and are provided at no cost to the returnees.
The ministry reaffirmed that protecting Nigerians abroad remains a key priority of the country’s foreign policy and pledged continued support for citizens affected by crises overseas.
The evacuation follows renewed anti-immigration protests in parts of South Africa, where demonstrations over illegal migration have escalated into isolated incidents of violence and attacks on foreign-owned businesses and homes.
Although South African authorities say the protests are directed at illegal immigration rather than any particular nationality, several foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have been affected by the unrest.
