Heartbreak and tales of monumental loss trailed the arrival of 269 Nigerians at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Tuesday, as some say the returned home practically empty handed following rising anti immigration tensions in South Africa.

Despite assurances of immediate support and long term reintegration from the Federal Government, many of the returnees recounted the heavy toll the xenophobic hostilities took on their livelihoods.

One returnee, identified simply as Adeyemo, lamented the devastating reality of his return.

He described the heartbreaking experience of being forced to sell off properties and businesses acquired over a decade for a pittance, noting that much of his life’s work was ultimately left behind in South Africa.

Another returnee, John Okeke, urged the Federal Government to take a decisive diplomatic stance against the xenophobic attacks to serve as a deterrent. He maintained that the returnees were law-abiding migrants who did not deserve the hostile treatment meted out to them.

The evacuees, who arrived at the Cargo Terminal at about 10:45 a.m. aboard a chartered Air Peace flight, comprised 99 male adults, 57 female adults, 109 children, and four infants, following final manifest adjustments.

According to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), this latest arrival brings the total number of Nigerians evacuated under current government and privately-sponsored arrangements to nearly 600.

Receiving the returnees, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, commended their resilience and assured them that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting the dignity of Nigerians globally.

In a statement issued on his behalf by his Senior Technical Adviser on Information Systems and Data Analysis, Dr Abimbola Fasanu, the minister stressed that the returnees were citizens caught in difficult circumstances.

“The most important thing is that you are home safely. You were not returned because you committed any crime. You conducted yourselves responsibly while striving to earn an honest living. Although you have faced difficult circumstances, we will face this challenge together as one nation.

“Nigeria will never abandon its citizens. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, every Nigerian matters, and every returning citizen deserves the opportunity to rebuild a productive and dignified life,” the minister stated.

Dr Doro explained that the reintegration process extends beyond the airport reception to include humanitarian assistance, comprehensive profiling, and livelihood opportunities.

Calling on state governments, the private sector, and development partners to complement the Federal Government’s efforts, he added, “Successful reintegration is a shared responsibility. Government has taken the lead, but lasting recovery requires the collective support of families, communities, state governments, development partners, and the private sector.”

The reception exercise was coordinated by the NCFRMI, under the leadership of its Federal Commissioner, Dr Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Amb. Catherine Udida, NCFRMI’s Director of Migrants Affairs, noted that the initial profiling exercise was aimed at capturing the returnees’ immediate needs and intended destinations.

She confirmed that further batches of returnees are expected soon and that the ministry will facilitate skills acquisition programmes to aid their rehabilitation.

Udida said “Our priority is to help every returning Nigerian reconnect with opportunities, restore hope, and begin a new chapter with confidence.” (The Guardian)