Returnees have gathered at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, where they are undergoing final screening processes ahead of departure. Officials say the current group forms part of an ongoing repatriation effort that has seen increasing numbers seek assistance to return home.

According to the Secretary of Communications at the Nigerian High Commission, Olajide Ogunmadeji, about 270 Nigerians are scheduled to be repatriated on the latest flight operated by Air Peace. “About 270 Nigerians are expected to be repatriated on Monday. We did one evacuation earlier in the month,” Ogunmadeji said.

He explained that a second evacuation had been delayed due to logistical challenges, but those issues have since been resolved, allowing the current operation to proceed. “The challenges and the bottlenecks have been removed,” he said.

Ogunmadeji noted that those gathered at the High Commission are individuals already confirmed to be part of the current travel group and are undergoing a final verification process before being transported to the airport. “The reason why you see a lot of Nigerians outside is those who are due to travel today,” he said.

The repatriations come amid growing pressure on undocumented migrants to leave SA ahead of looming protest action on Tuesday, with embassies and consulates playing a central role in facilitating departures.

–ChannelAfrica–