The Federal Government has rescheduled the airlift of the first batch of Nigerian citizens wishing to leave South Africa following the recent wave of xenophobic attacks against black people in the country.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
According to Ebienfa, the proposed airlift of the first batch of returnees from South Africa, which was originally scheduled for Monday, has been rescheduled for Wednesday owing to unforeseen logistical considerations.
President Bola Tinubu approved five evacuation flights, which Nigeria’s private airline, Air Peace, will operate, he explained.
He said the first flight, expected to carry around 270 passengers, would depart Johannesburg on the evening of the new date after all necessary permits and clearances 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 in being evacuated back home, has been extended to Wednesday.
“So far, more than 500 people have been screened and cleared,” Ebienfa said. (NAN)
