The Federal Government has rescheduled the evacuation of the first batch of Nigerians in South Africa following the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in the former apartheid enclave.
The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
He said the proposed airlifting of the first batch of returnees from South Africa slated for Monday has been rescheduled for Wednesday due to logistical considerations.
He added that President Bola Tinubu had approved five evacuation flights to be operated by Air Peace.
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The spokesman said 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 Nigerians 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
(Ripples)