News
Xenophobia: ‘Why 313 Nigerians Did Not Return In First Batch’
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has explained why 178 Nigerians were evacuated from South Africa on Wednesday instead of the 313 persons the Air Peace Airline was initially billed to convey to Lagos.
This comes as the ministry dispelled reports that some of the returnees were arrested at the O R Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, by the South African Immigration upon preparation to return to the country.
An official of the ministry, who spoke with newsmen on condition of anonymity said what happened was that some Nigerians only withdrew when the South African Immigration insisted on biometrics and consent letters from spouses for those travelling with children.
According to the official, “We were supposed to come with 313 Nigerians. But when we got to the airport, the South African Immigration insisted on biometrics. There were speculations that those leaving will not be allowed to enter South Africa again. Some people were discouraged and withdrew voluntarily not to continue with the journey.
“Secondly, the case of those that were supposed to travel with their families: The Immigration requested for letters of consent. Those without the letters of their spouses were not cleared,” the ministry official said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has said that the second batch of the evacuation exercise will begin soon.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa of the Crises Monitoring and Public Communications Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Onyeama gave the assurance while receiving 178 Nigerians who voluntarily returned to the country on Wednesday evening.
Ebienfa said Onyeama commended the chairman and management of Air Peace Airlines for the successful evacuation of the first batch of Nigerians from Johannesburg.
Onyeama, who was represented by the Acting Director, Southern African Affairs Division, Mr Chuks Chikezie Jonathan, hailed the laudable initiative by the Chairman of Air Peace Airlines, Chief Allen Onyema, assuring that that the Federal Government will not relent in its efforts to support and protect lives and property of Nigerians in Diaspora.
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs also promised that the second batch of the evacuation exercise will commence soonest after working out necessary modalities with the Nigerian Mission in South Africa,” Ebienfa said.
The minister, however, appealed to Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm and patient, adding that the Federal Government is engaging all relevant stakeholders towards finding permanent measures to the unfortunate xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.
However, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, yesterday, said that Nigerians who just returned from South Africa due to xenophobic attacks would receive soft loans from the Bank of Industry if they are interested in doing business.
She said this when the returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Wednesday.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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