Eighty-three Nigerians have been repatriated from South Africa following an exercise facilitated by private individuals who funded their return journey.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Wednesday night, said the returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg.
The group was accompanied by two officials from the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Johannesburg.
The ministry said the cost of the return tickets was covered by private citizens who volunteered their support to facilitate the safe return of the Nigerians.
Receiving the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government was the Director of the African Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe.
Following their arrival, the returnees were handed over to relevant government agencies for documentation and profiling before arrangements for their reunification with their families.
The ministry reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians living abroad and supporting their safe return when necessary.
It also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, the private sponsors and other government agencies involved in the reception and reintegration process.
