The first batch of 188 Nigerians who voluntarily agreed to return to Nigeria from South Africa on Wednesday arrived Lagos as 9.35pm.

They landed Nigeria aboard Nigerian carrier, Air Peace. The returnees were received by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, chairman, Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri officials of the Bank of Industry. 

Abike Dabiri confirmed that the returnees were indeed supposed to have arrived Nigeria at about 6.30pm but could not take off of scheduled as some Nigerians were turned back over inadequate documentation for travelling with children while about seven were subsequently arrested.

The returnees included many children. Speaking with journalists, some of the returnees decried the violence meted out on foreigners by South Africans which some alleged was backed by South African authorities.

The returnees were taken to the Hajj camp in the airport for proper documentation while some family members waited patiently to receive them