The Federal Government has announced plans to evacuate 270 Nigerian nationals from South Africa as part of ongoing efforts to repatriate citizens affected by renewed xenophobic attacks and worsening security conditions.
The evacuation will be carried out through a fourth special Air Peace flight scheduled to depart Lagos for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, before returning to Nigeria with the registered evacuees.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the aircraft will leave Lagos at 3:30 p.m. and is expected to depart Johannesburg at 12:00 midnight, arriving at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, subject to operational conditions.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed in a statement issued on Monday that the latest operation marks the fourth evacuation flight organised by the Federal Government to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians willing to leave South Africa.
Government urges Nigerians to return home
The Federal Government has also issued a final appeal to Nigerian nationals still in South Africa to complete their documentation and take advantage of the ongoing evacuation programme.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the government remains deeply concerned about the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa, particularly following the deaths of two citizens, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu.
In a statement posted on her X account on Monday, the minister said Nigeria was closely monitoring developments and had extended the evacuation programme to enable more citizens to return home safely.
“Nigeria remains concerned about the safety of its citizens in South Africa as a result of the ongoing xenophobic protests and attacks on migrants, and even more so following the deaths of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, during these unfortunate events,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu called on South African authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
“We demand that South African authorities urgently investigate the incidents and bring those responsible to justice, and we are urging our citizens who consider their lives at risk to take advantage of the Federal Government-sponsored evacuation flights to be transported home,” she added.
Evacuation programme extended
The minister said there were no signs that the security situation in South Africa was improving despite previous evacuation efforts.
She recalled that following three earlier evacuation operations, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved an extension of the programme beyond the initial June 30 deadline.
According to her, another evacuation flight departed for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, while the final evacuation aircraft is expected to arrive in South Africa on July 10.
“Our citizens are strongly advised to take advantage of this extension and utilise the full capacity of the aircraft,” she said.
She also urged Nigerians who are yet to decide whether to remain in South Africa to carefully assess the risks and prioritise their safety.
“For many still sitting on the fence, they should do well to note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but not lives lost,” the minister stated.
