Sixty-seven Nigerian nationals who had been living in South Africa have returned to Lagos amid ongoing concerns over xenophobic attacks and anti-migrant violence in the country.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard a South African Airways flight at about 8:45 pm on Wednesday.
They were received by officials from several Federal Government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
Alex Oturu, NEMA’s South-West coordinator, said the latest repatriation was facilitated by well-meaning Nigerians who provided support, including funds for flight tickets and other assistance.
He explained that the returnees were coming back because of the xenophobic challenges they had faced in South Africa.
The latest arrival follows the return of 83 Nigerians from South Africa the previous Thursday.
South Africa has remained a major destination for migrants but has experienced repeated incidents of anti-foreigner violence for almost two decades.
The situation intensified this year after vigilante groups reportedly ordered undocumented migrants to leave the country by June 30.
According to an AFP tally based on figures supplied by African countries that have repatriated their nationals, more than 176,000 people have left South Africa in recent weeks.
South African police have confirmed that at least four migrants have been killed in the violence, although some foreign governments have reported higher figures.
Ghana, which has strongly condemned the attacks, has called for the African Union to debate the issue of anti-migrant violence at its next summit early next year.
Nigeria has also had diplomatic disagreements with South Africa over repeated attacks against Nigerians and has pushed for the matter to be placed on the AU agenda.