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Xenophobic attacks: Nigeria reschedules evacuation of willing citizens from South Africa


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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu

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President Bola Tinubu had approved five evacuation flights, which would be operated by Nigeria’s private airliner, Air Peace.

By Fortune Abang

Nigeria Government, has rescheduled the airlifting of the first batch of its citizens willing to leave South Africa following the recent wave of xenophobic attacks against Blacks in the country.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, the spokesman of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

According to Ebienfa, the proposed airlifting of the first batch of returnees from South Africa, which is originally scheduled for Monday (today), has been rescheduled for Wednesday, and this is due to unforeseen logistical considerations.

He explained that President Bola Tinubu had approved five evacuation flights, which would be operated by Nigeria’s private airliner, Air Peace.

He said that the first flight expected to transport about 270 passengers, would leave Johannesburg on the evening of the new date, after all necessary permits and clearance have been secured for the aircraft.

He also confirmed that the federal government had extended the screening of its citizens, who were willing to be evacuated from South Africa to Wednesday.

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

”So far, more than 500 persons have been screened and cleared,” Ebienfa said.(NAN)