A fresh batch of 67 Nigerian returnees has arrived in Lagos from South Africa amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks and anti-migrant tensions in the country.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard a South African Airways flight at about 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday. They were received by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
NEMA’s South-West Coordinator, Alex Oturu, said the evacuation was made possible through the support of well-meaning Nigerians who provided flight tickets and other forms of assistance.
Their arrival comes barely a week after another group of 83 Nigerians returned from South Africa, highlighting the growing number of citizens leaving the country amid fears over anti-foreigner violence.
South Africa has remained a major destination for migrants across the continent but has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence for nearly two decades. Tensions have intensified in recent months, following protests and campaigns by vigilante groups demanding the removal of undocumented foreign nationals.
According to an AFP tally based on figures released by African governments, more than 176,000 migrants have returned to their home countries in recent weeks.
South African police say at least four migrants have been killed in the violence, although some foreign governments have reported higher casualty figures.
The crisis has also triggered diplomatic concerns across Africa. Ghana has called for the issue to be discussed at the next African Union summit, while Nigeria has similarly pushed for stronger continental action over recurring attacks on its citizens and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
