FG to evacuates more Nigerians from South Africa Tuesday

 

The Federal Government has confirmed that the next evacuation flight designated to bring Nigerian citizens back from South Africa will depart on Tuesday. This forms part of continuous interventions aimed at safeguarding citizens following apprehensions over potential xenophobic attacks in the country.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the development on Monday, stating that an Air Peace aircraft had departed Nigeria on Monday and was scheduled to return with another group of evacuated citizens on Tuesday morning. This development comes amid rising anxiety surrounding planned anti-immigrant demonstrations expected to commence on June 30, prompting the government to sustain its voluntary repatriation scheme for nationals who wish to return home.

Ebienfa said, “Nigeria will resume the evacuation of our nationals from South Africa today. Air Peace aircraft will depart Nigeria today, Monday, June 29, 2026, at 3:00 pm and is expected to arrive in South Africa at approximately 9:00 pm local time. The return flight is scheduled to depart South Africa at 12:00 midnight and is expected to arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning.”

The ministry spokesperson further advised Nigerians who will remain in South Africa after the scheduled June 30 protests to exercise caution, stay alert, avoid paths where demonstrators gather, and maintain regular communication with the Nigerian diplomatic mission. He stated, “To be calm and security conscious. Avoid routes and areas dominated by protesters. Always be in contact with the Nigerian High Commission for necessary updates.”

The current repatriation exercise is an extension of the emergency program authorized by President Bola Tinubu earlier in the month to assist citizens willing to leave South Africa. On June 7, the federal authorities announced that five evacuation flights operated by Air Peace had been approved to repatriate nationals after more than 500 individuals underwent official screening. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the operations were sanctioned to guarantee that every registered citizen intending to return home is safely relocated.

Prior to this upcoming operation, the Federal Government had successfully repatriated a total of 328 Nigerians across two separate phases. The initial evacuation flight landed on June 11 with 262 citizens, while the second batch consisting of 66 returnees arrived in Lagos on June 25. The ongoing repatriation exercise is being jointly managed by the federal authorities, Air Peace, and other relevant government organizations.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria had previously issued an advisory warning citizens to restrict unnecessary movements, steer clear of protest venues, and maintain heightened vigilance following intelligence indicating planned demonstrations targeting foreign nationals. The Federal Government added that it is collaborating with South African authorities to secure the safety of the diaspora while continuing the voluntary airlifts.