The Federal Government has announced that the third evacuation flight for Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa will depart Johannesburg at midnight on Thursday with 271 returnees on board.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.

According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.

The ministry said the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa amid renewed anti-immigrant tensions.

“The third evacuation flight operated by Air Peace will depart Johannesburg today by 12 midnight with 271 returnees. The estimated time of arrival in Lagos is 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026,” the statement read.

The latest batch follows two earlier evacuation flights that returned hundreds of Nigerians to the country under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme, with more flights expected in the coming days.