A fresh group of 105 Nigerians arrived safely in Lagos late Friday night from South Africa, fleeing rising anti-immigrant sentiment and xenophobic hostility.
The arrival at Murtala Muhammed International Airport marks the second phase of a major repatriation effort organized by the Redeemed Christian Church of God. This latest group consists of 55 adults, 45 children, and five infants. It follows the return of 100 citizens on Thursday, September 24 under the same program.
This return took place just two days after a September 30 deadline set by South African anti-migrant groups ordering undocumented foreign nationals to vacate the country. The directive has intensified anxiety and fear of forced displacement among foreign workers.
Pastor Belemina Obunge, Chairman of the RCCG Task Force on Repatriation and Special Assistant to the General Overseer on Special Duties, explained that the mission is designed to support state efforts.
“The initiative was a humanitarian contribution to the Federal Government’s efforts to bring stranded Nigerians back home,” Obunge said. He noted that the goal remains “providing assistance to Nigerians who had found themselves stranded in South Africa and needed support to return to Nigeria.”
The ministry has committed to funding the return of 500 stranded citizens. With 205 people now successfully brought back, approximately 295 others are scheduled for future flights once official profiling and travel clearance are complete.
Back on home soil, many returnees shared deep relief, noting that the flight brought an end to prolonged anxiety over their legal status, safety, and potential violence following the expiration of the eviction demand.
