FG to evacuate 270 Nigerians from South Africa

The Federal Government has concluded arrangements to evacuate 270 Nigerians from South Africa as part of its ongoing voluntary repatriation exercise for citizens willing to return home.

 

The returnees are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in the early hours of Wednesday, aboard an Air Peace aircraft deployed for the operation.

 

The latest evacuation is part of the government’s continued efforts, through the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and other relevant agencies, to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians facing various challenges in South Africa.

 

Announcing the schedule in a statement on Monday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the aircraft would depart Lagos on Tuesday afternoon for Johannesburg before returning overnight with the evacuees.

 

According to the statement, the Air Peace aircraft will depart Lagos at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, for Johannesburg, and leave South Africa at 12:00 midnight with the returnees.

 

The ministry said the aircraft is expected to arrive in Lagos by 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, subject to operational conditions.

 

The Federal Government has, over the years, carried out several evacuation exercises for Nigerians stranded abroad due to security concerns, economic hardship, immigration issues and humanitarian emergencies.

 

Air Peace has also participated in previous government-assisted evacuation missions, including the repatriation of Nigerians from countries affected by conflicts and other crises.

 

The latest exercise comes amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant protests in South Africa, which have prompted calls for stronger diplomatic engagement to protect Nigerians living in the country.

 

The Federal Government recently assured Nigerians residing in South Africa of their safety and said it would continue to work through diplomatic channels to safeguard their lives and interests.