The Federal Government has begun the evacuation of Nigerian citizens from South Africa following a fresh wave of xenophobic violence targeting African migrants.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed that the first batch of evacuees departed Johannesburg on Friday under a government-coordinated emergency operation aimed at protecting Nigerians affected by the unrest.

According to the minister, the evacuation was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of the administration’s Citizen Diplomacy policy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

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“The evacuation of imperiled Nigerian citizens who consider their lives at risk by continued stay in South Africa has been ordered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” she stated.

The operation is being carried out by Air Peace and is fully funded by the Federal Government.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that 262 Nigerians, accompanied by three government officials, were aboard the evacuation flight, which departed from O.R. Tambo International Airport and was expected to arrive in Lagos later the same day.

The returnees are to be received at Murtala Muhammed International Airport by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye.

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The foreign affairs minister explained that she would be unable to receive the evacuees personally because she is currently in Addis Ababa, where she is overseeing arrangements for the transfer of more than 100 Nigerian prisoners serving sentences in Ethiopian correctional facilities back to Nigeria.

She disclosed that the inmates are currently held in Kaliti and Aba Samuel prisons and may be repatriated to complete their sentences in Nigeria.

Expressing concern over their welfare, the minister noted that four Nigerians had died while in custody in Ethiopia due to health complications and other factors.

“We cannot afford to lose any more,” she said.

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Odumegwu-Ojukwu assured that government agencies have been mobilised to provide support, counselling, and reintegration assistance to the evacuees, many of whom have endured traumatic experiences during the attacks.

Describing the homecoming as emotional, she encouraged the returnees to focus on rebuilding their lives despite any losses suffered.

“For every wound there is a scar, and every scar tells a story — a story that says, ‘I have survived.’ The price of your peace and the safety of your children is worth any sacrifice,” she said.

She assured the evacuees that Nigeria stands ready to support them as they begin a new chapter back home.

“Your nation is waiting to embrace you with open arms. Welcome back to the Motherland,” the minister added.

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