Another 105 Nigerians return from South Africa in church-backed repatriation

A further 105 Nigerians have returned home from South Africa following concerns about xenophobic attacks against migrants, Channels Television reported. The group arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos late on Friday. It comprised 55 adults, 45 children and five infants.

The return was organised through a humanitarian intervention by the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The latest group followed 100 Nigerians who were repatriated from South Africa on Thursday, September 24. The church had pledged to sponsor the return of 500 Nigerians stranded in South Africa.

On the figures provided, about 295 additional returnees are expected in subsequent batches, subject to the completion of profiling and documentation. The latest arrivals came two days after a September 30 deadline issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa. Those groups had directed undocumented migrants to leave the country.

Pastor Belemina Obunge, chairman of the RCCG task force overseeing the repatriation and special assistant to the church’s general overseer on special duties, said the initiative was a humanitarian contribution to the Federal Government’s efforts to bring stranded Nigerians home. Some of the returnees expressed relief at arriving back in Nigeria, according to the report. The supplied material does not give details about their individual circumstances, the alleged attacks or the arrangements for the remaining planned repatriations.

The church’s intervention is therefore continuing in batches while officials and organisers complete the required documentation for those still awaiting return.