The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has received the first batch of 100 Nigerians returning from South Africa, marking the start of a humanitarian airlift the church is funding for 500 stranded nationals.
The returnees landed in Lagos at about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday from Johannesburg, arriving at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The intervention was sanctioned by RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, following appeals for help from Nigerians seeking to leave South Africa.
Pastor Belemina Obunge, who chairs the RCCG Task Force for the Reception of Nigerian Returnees from South Africa, said the church was covering the cost of flights from Johannesburg to Lagos, with government agencies handling reception and onward logistics once returnees touched down. He added that more batches would follow as processing continued, and commended Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa for coordinating the effort with local stakeholders.
Responding to questions about how beneficiaries were chosen, Obunge clarified that selection was not limited to RCCG members. He explained that the Nigerian High Commission was working alongside South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs to profile and document eligible returnees before they were cleared to travel.
He also noted that the returnees cut across religious lines. “They are Muslims, Christians, all religions,” he said, adding that the church’s task force was present simply to welcome them, offer support, and ensure a smooth handover to government agencies.
On what happens after arrival, Obunge said some state governments had already begun taking responsibility for reintegrating their citizens, and he called on others to do the same.
Pastor Amos Emoron, Chairman of the RCCG Central Mission Board, who co-led the reception alongside Obunge, echoed that evacuees were selected without regard to religion, tribe, or affiliation.
Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMIDPs) were also on ground to receive the returnees, after which profiling began.
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