It’s a wrap—for now. The sixth and final batch of Nigeria’s South Africa evacuation exercise closed out with 40 citizens landing at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Friday night, pushing the total tally to 1,174 returnees.
The chartered Air Peace flight marked the last leg of a coordinated federal operation that had previously seen 258, 266, 262, 282, and 66 Nigerians flown home via Air Peace and ValueJet.
“These returnees came through four Air Peace flights, one ValueJet flight, and this final chartered batch of 40,” confirmed Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media.
And the homecoming wasn’t short on love or cash.
The evacuees showered praise on President Bola Tinubu for greenlighting their rescue, alongside Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Acting Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi, and NiDCOM boss Abike Dabiri-Erewa for smoothing the path.
But the real showstopper? The goodwill avalanche:
· Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma dropped ₦1 million per returnee.
· MTN handed out free SIM packs with ₦50,000 data value and pledged another ₦100,000 direct to bank accounts.
· Edo and Delta States promised their own support packages.
· JAAL Foundation earmarked empowerment for 50 female returnees.
· Omega Power Ministries offered free accommodation, skills training, and university-level education for returnees’ kids.
· Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters Church gave ₦100,000 each to 66 evacuees.
· Cruxstone real estate also pitched in for earlier arrivals.
On the ground, officials from NEMA, NCFRMI, Immigration, FAAN, NIMC, and security agencies were out in full force to document and welcome the weary travelers.
“We’re deeply grateful for the donations, the support, and this warm Nigerian embrace,” the returnees said in unison.
