The Federal Government has rescheduled the repatriation of the first batch of Nigerian citizens willing to leave South Africa following the recent wave of xenophobic attacks against Blacks in the country.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, the spokesman of the 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, has been rescheduled for Wednesday.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman attributed the decision to unforeseen logistical considerations.
Ebienfa 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.
The spokesperson 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.