The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has coordinated the successful reception of 1,516 vulnerable Nigerians voluntarily repatriated from the Republic of South Africa between 11 June and 15 July 2024. The agency disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that the Federal Government coordinated the exercise in collaboration with relevant agencies and partners.
Partners involved in the repatriation
The repatriation involved the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. Other partners include the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the National Identity Management Commission, Port Health Services, security agencies, and MTN.
Arrival in seven batches
According to NEMA, the returnees arrived in seven batches through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, aboard Air Peace and South African Airways flights. The first batch of 258 returnees arrived on 11 June aboard Air Peace, followed by 66 returnees on 24 June via South African Airways. The agency reported that 298 returnees arrived on 30 June, while another 266 were received on 3 July aboard Air Peace. The fifth batch of 284 returnees arrived on 9 July, followed by 39 others on 10 July through South African Airways. The seventh and final batch of 305 returnees arrived on 15 July, bringing the total to 1,516.
NEMA's operational role
NEMA played a leading operational role in coordinating the reception of the returnees and facilitating arrangements for their onward transportation to various destinations in collaboration with partner agencies. The agency commended all stakeholders whose support ensured the successful completion of the voluntary repatriation exercise.
Recognition and commitment
NEMA also lauded its Lagos Operations Office, led by the Head of Operations on behalf of the Director-General, Zubaida Umar, for ensuring the successful reception, processing, and onward movement of the returnees. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to provide coordinated humanitarian support during emergency evacuations, voluntary repatriation, and other humanitarian operations, in line with its statutory mandate.
