The Federal Government has said the screening of Nigerians in South Africa who registered for evacuation will end today, setting the stage for final arrangements to repatriate the affected citizens.
The spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this in a WhatsApp message, noting that the exercise began on Thursday and is being carried out by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria in collaboration with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the South African Police Service and immigration authorities.
According to him, the screening is meant to verify and clear Nigerians who have expressed interest in returning home following recent concerns over attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.
Ebienfa said the exercise would enable authorities to establish the exact number of eligible evacuees, after which the Federal Government would conclude logistical arrangements, including the deployment of aircraft to bring them back to Nigeria.
He assured that further details on the evacuation would be made public as soon as they are available.
The development comes amid growing anxiety over the safety and welfare of Nigerians living in South Africa, many of whom have sought assistance to return home.
