The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has successfully received 1,516 Nigerians who returned home voluntarily from South Africa. This repatriation happened between June 11 and July 15.
NEMA shared this news in a statement on Friday. The Federal Government led this effort with the help of different agencies and partners.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission were involved. Other partners included the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the National Identity Management Commission, Port Health Services, security agencies, and MTN.
NEMA noted that the returnees came back in seven groups through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. They traveled on Air Peace and South African Airways flights.
The first group of 258 returnees arrived on June 11, flying with Air Peace. The next group of 66 returnees came on June 24 via South African Airways.
On June 30, 298 returnees landed, and then 266 returned on July 3 with Air Peace. The fifth group of 284 returnees arrived on July 9, followed by another 39 on July 10 through South African Airways.
The last group of 305 returnees came back on July 15, making the total 1,516.
NEMA said it took the lead in coordinating the reception of the returnees and helping arrange their transport to different locations with the help of partner agencies.
The agency thanked all the stakeholders who supported the successful repatriation process.
NEMA also praised its Lagos Operations Office, led by the Head of Operations on behalf of the Director-General, Zubaida Umar. They ensured the returnees were received, processed, and moved onward successfully.
The agency promised to keep working with relevant partners to offer coordinated humanitarian support during emergency evacuations, voluntary repatriation, and other humanitarian efforts as part of its duty.
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