FG Resumes South Africa Evacuation, 271 Nigerians Expected Home Today

The Federal Government is set to resume the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa today, with 271 citizens expected to return aboard an Air Peace flight as efforts continue to repatriate those affected by recent anti-immigration tensions.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the aircraft will depart Nigeria at 3:00 p.m. and arrive in South Africa at about 9:00 p.m. local time. The return flight is scheduled to leave South Africa at midnight and arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday morning with the evacuees.

The latest evacuation exercise forms part of the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme launched in response to renewed xenophobic attacks and anti-immigration protests in parts of South Africa, which prompted many Nigerians to seek assistance to return home. More than 1,000 Nigerians reportedly registered for the programme.

The evacuation operation began earlier this month when the first batch of returnees arrived in Nigeria aboard an Air Peace flight. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 258 Nigerians were received in Lagos on June 11, although other reports placed the figure between 262 and 268 due to variations in passenger counts that included accompanying officials.

Last week, the government also facilitated the return of an additional 66 Nigerians from South Africa, reinforcing its ongoing support for citizens who voluntarily chose to leave over security concerns.

The Ministry stated that the evacuation exercise reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigerians abroad and ensuring consular assistance during periods of crisis.

The latest update was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.