By Gabriel Ameh
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has facilitated the return of another 105 Nigerians stranded in South Africa as part of its ongoing humanitarian repatriation programme.
The returnees, comprising 55 adults, 45 children and five infants, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos late on Friday.
Their return brings to 205 the number of Nigerians brought back to the country under the RCCG-sponsored initiative.
The first batch of 100 Nigerians arrived in Nigeria on September 24.
The church had pledged to fund the repatriation of 500 stranded Nigerians, with the return exercise being conducted in batches following profiling and documentation by relevant authorities.
Chairman of the RCCG Task Force overseeing the exercise, Pastor Belemina Obunge, described the intervention as a humanitarian contribution to the Federal Government’s efforts to assist Nigerians stranded abroad.
The latest returnees arrived two days after a September 30 deadline issued by an anti-migrant group for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa.
The development also comes amid reports of growing hostility towards some migrants in South Africa, with some of the returnees reportedly recounting difficult experiences and alleged harassment during their stay.
The RCCG said the repatriation exercise would continue as part of its commitment to supporting stranded Nigerians and facilitating their safe return home.
Credit: RCCG / Repatriation Task Force
