Over 187 Nigerians trapped in South Africa's xenophobic assaults arrived at Lagos Airport on Wednesday with stories of regret, lamenting how they escaped butchering.

On their return to their fatherland, the returnees who expressed blended feelings burst into tears as they flew from the Air Peace Boeing 777 plane into Lagos.

They expressed their bitter experiences in the hands of South Africans.

The Chairman Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa informed returnees that the government had made available to them N40,000 recharge card to enable them communicate with their family members.

In appreciation of the gestures from the government, the returnees rose in euphoria to sing the national anthem.

An Osun State indigene who identified himself as Saheed, lamented how he was sacked from work for being a Nigerian.

He said having worked on Pretoria for over five years, he suffered discrimination.

Another returnee from Edo State, who identified himself as Anthony Joshua described his trauma in South Africa as unfortunate.

He called on government to sever ties with South Africa because of the maltreatment suffered by Nigerians.

Also speaking, Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema said the offer to air lift Nigerians in trouble was the least he could do to assist.

He lamented how South African authorities delayed the flight for over 12 hours just to punish Nigerians.

In her remark, Mrs Abike Dabiri Erewa commended the airline for its patriotic act.

As at 10.45pm, the profiling of the returnees was ongoing by officials of Nigeria Immigration Service.