The Federal Government has announced plans to evacuate 270 Nigerians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks and worsening security concerns in the country.
The evacuation will be carried out through a special Air Peace flight scheduled to depart Lagos for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the aircraft is expected to leave Lagos at 3:30 pm and return with 270 registered evacuees.
The flight is also expected to depart Johannesburg at midnight and arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, around 5:00am on Wednesday, July 8, subject to operational conditions.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the latest operation would mark the fourth evacuation flight organised by the Federal Government for Nigerians willing to return home from South Africa.
The government said the exercise was part of ongoing efforts to repatriate citizens affected by attacks on migrants and deteriorating security conditions.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the Federal Government remained deeply concerned about the safety of Nigerians in South Africa.
In a statement posted on her 𝕏 handle on Monday, she said the concern had heightened following the deaths of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu.
“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 2 Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, during these unfortunate events,” she stated.
The minister urged South African authorities to investigate the incidents and prosecute those responsible.
“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 said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said there were no clear signs that the security situation was improving.
“There are no signs that the situation is improving,” she noted.
She recalled that after three previous evacuation operations, President Bola Tinubu approved an extension of the programme beyond the June 30 deadline.
“Following the earlier evacuations of our citizens in three separate operations, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, extended the evacuations beyond the June 30 deadline, with the fourth evacuation flight having arrived in Nigeria on 3rd July 2026,” she said.
The minister urged Nigerians still in South Africa to complete their documentation and use the available evacuation flights.
“Our citizens are strongly advised to take advantage of this extension and utilise the full capacity of the aircraft,” she added.
She said another evacuation flight would leave for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, while the last evacuation aircraft was expected to arrive in South Africa on July 10.
“Another evacuation flight will leave for Johannesburg tomorrow, Tuesday, 7th July, to bring home our citizens.
“The last evacuation flight is expected to arrive in South Africa on 10th July. Our nationals are again advised to weigh the risks regarding whether to remain or return,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also appealed to undecided Nigerians to 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,” she said.
