A second batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in Lagos, with 66 people returning home under an ongoing government-backed evacuation programme.

The group landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 8:50 p.m. The evacuation followed recent attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa and forms part of efforts approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assist affected Nigerians.

The latest flight came after an earlier evacuation that brought 258 Nigerians back to the country.

Officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanied the returnees on the journey, while the flight was facilitated by ValueJet Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kunle Soname.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said Nigerians who registered for the evacuation and wish to return home will be brought back under the exercise.

Support packages were also announced for the returnees. According to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), evacuees from Imo State are expected to receive N1 million each from Governor Hope Uzodimma.

MTN Nigeria provided free SIM cards and N50,000 worth of data to the returnees. The company also credited N100,000 into the bank account of each evacuee.

Founder of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Pastor Bolaji Idowu, donated N100,000 to each returnee.

The evacuees expressed appreciation for the evacuation effort and the support provided on their return to Nigeria.

Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigeria Immigration Service and other agencies were at the airport to receive and document the returnees. (Arise News)

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