640 Nigerians ready to leave South Africa

By Patricia Ngwenya – Johannesburg

640 Nigerians have so far given approval to the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa to be evacuated from the country following lingering xenophobic attacks.

The Nigerian Consul General in Johannesburg, Godwin Adams, gave the figure today preparatory to the departure of the first batch of the evacuees.

The distressed evacuees gathered as early as 4a.m. on Wednesday 11th September, ready to leave to Oliver Reginald Tambo International Airport.

Luxury coaches were waiting overnight to take them to the airport.

The Nigerian Consul General, Godwin Adams, said the first flight would leave by 9am today 11th of September while the second flight would leave on Thursday 12th of September.

Adams said the consulate has made necessary arrangements to ensure that the exercise is smooth.

Nigerians leaving South Africa this morning said they were happy to be evacuated from the country.

One of them, Nduibisi Udenze said he was glad to leave South Africa because the situation was still terrible.

“I feel happy because I’m going. The situation was so terrible even as we speak. I’m very grateful that I’m going.”

On what he felt about the handling of evacuation processes, Udenze said the procedure was hitch-free.

“I like the way they are handling the procedure especially in the Nigerian consulate. The Consulate General is a God-fearing man who has taken responsibility to work ahead, even overtime, to make sure that this evacuation is done very smoothly.”