The Federal Government has dismissed claims that Nigerians evacuated from South Africa were asked to pay for seats on special evacuation flights, insisting that all such flights are fully funded and free for registered returnees.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the clarification became necessary following what it described as “false allegations” that officials at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria demanded money before including citizens on evacuation lists.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to place on record that all the special evacuation flights are fully paid for by the Federal Government and at no cost to the returnees,” the statement, signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said.
The ministry said the first evacuation flight, operated by Air Peace, brought 258 Nigerians back to Lagos last month. The returnees were received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, before being handed over to relevant government agencies for documentation and profiling.
It said logistical delays affected the second evacuation operation, forcing some stranded Nigerians to remain temporarily at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, where they were accommodated and cared for.
According to the ministry, a Nigerian philanthropist voluntarily paid the airfares of 66 evacuees, who later returned to Lagos aboard a South African Airways flight.
The second government evacuation flight subsequently arrived with 269 returnees, bringing the total number of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa so far to 593.
The ministry added that three more evacuation flights are scheduled to operate in the coming days for about 700 Nigerians who voluntarily registered for the exercise and have completed the required screening and clearance.
It said the third batch is expected to arrive in Lagos with 271 returnees.
Rejecting allegations of extortion, the ministry said: “That is totally false, fake news, and should be discarded.”
The ministry also praised the collaboration of relevant ministries, departments and agencies involved in the exercise.
It said the evacuation programme reflects the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad.
“The evacuation process clearly underscores the priority accorded to the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas, which remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a core responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“It also reflects the government’s determination to ensure that Nigerians affected by crises abroad receive the necessary support, dignity, and care. The lives of Nigerians living abroad matter, and we are trying our best as a ministry to give them a sense of belonging.”
