FG Begins Fresh Evacuation Of 270 Nigerians From South Africa Amid Xenophobic Attacks

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the evacuation exercise will be conducted through a special Air Peace flight scheduled to depart Lagos for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, to bring back registered Nigerians seeking to return home.

The aircraft is expected to leave the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 3:30 pm and return with 270 evacuees. The flight is scheduled to depart Johannesburg at midnight and arrive in Lagos around 5:00 am on Wednesday, July 8, subject to operational arrangements.

According to reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the latest operation represents the fourth evacuation flight organised by the Federal Government for Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks and deteriorating security conditions in South Africa.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja that the evacuation was part of ongoing government efforts to protect citizens abroad and provide assistance to those willing to return home.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the government remained deeply concerned over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa, especially following the reported deaths of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, during the recent unrest.

According to a statement shared on her official X handle, the minister urged South African authorities to investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

She also encouraged Nigerians who feel unsafe in South Africa to take advantage of the government-sponsored evacuation programme and return home.

“There are no signs that the situation is improving,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated, adding that the Federal Government had extended the evacuation programme beyond the initial June 30 deadline approved by President Bola Tinubu.

She explained that the extension followed three previous evacuation operations, with another flight scheduled to depart for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, while the final evacuation aircraft is expected to arrive in South Africa on July 10.

The minister advised Nigerians still in South Africa to complete their documentation and make use of the available flights, urging them to carefully consider their safety amid the ongoing crisis.

She further appealed to those uncertain about returning home to prioritise their lives and wellbeing, noting that lost properties and investments could be recovered, but human lives could not be replaced.