The Federal Government has concluded arrangements to evacuate another 270 Nigerians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic tensions and anti-immigrant protests.
The returnees are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in the early hours of Wednesday aboard an Air Peace aircraft deployed for the government-coordinated operation.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, announced on Monday that the aircraft will depart Lagos for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. and return with evacuees at 12:00 midnight.
“The estimated time of arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos is 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 8 July, 2026, all things being equal,” he said.
The evacuation is being coordinated by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria in collaboration with relevant government agencies. It follows the recent return of 269 Nigerians from Johannesburg.
The exercise comes amid heightened diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and South Africa after a resurgence of xenophobic attacks that have claimed the lives of Nigerian nationals.
The Federal Government said it is engaging South African authorities to safeguard Nigerians’ lives and property, while also providing a voluntary evacuation option for those wishing to return home.
Air Peace has continued to play a central role in the humanitarian exercise, having participated in several government-assisted evacuations from countries affected by conflict and insecurity.
FG Evacuates 270 Nigerians From South Africa Amid Renewed Xenophobic Attacks
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