FG To Evacuate 270 Nigerians From South Africa As Xenophobia Escalates

The Federal Government has concluded arrangements to evacuate another 270 Nigerians from South Africa as renewed xenophobic tensions and anti-immigrant protests continue to raise security concerns for foreign nationals.

The latest batch of returnees is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, in the early hours of Wednesday, July 8, aboard an Air Peace aircraft deployed for the government-coordinated evacuation.

The operation forms part of Nigeria's ongoing voluntary evacuation programme for citizens who have chosen to return home amid the worsening security situation in South Africa.

The exercise is being coordinated by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria in collaboration with relevant government agencies.

Announcing the operation on Monday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the evacuation flight would depart Lagos for Johannesburg on Tuesday before returning overnight with the evacuees.

"In continuation of the ongoing evacuation of our nationals from South Africa, the Air Peace aircraft deployed for the process is expected to depart Lagos tomorrow, Tuesday 7 July, 2026, for Johannesburg, South Africa at 3:30 p.m.

"The aircraft will depart Johannesburg for Lagos with 270 returnees at 12:00 midnight, and the estimated time of arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos is 5:00 a.m.on Wednesday, 8 July, 2026, all things being equal," Ebienfa said.

The fresh evacuation comes amid intensified diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and South Africa following a resurgence of xenophobic attacks that have resulted in the deaths of Nigerian nationals and renewed concerns over the safety of foreign residents.

The Federal Government has repeatedly assured Nigerians living in South Africa that it is engaging South African authorities to ensure the protection of their lives and property while also providing a voluntary evacuation option for those who wish to return home.

Air Peace has continued to play a key role in the humanitarian exercise, having participated in several government-assisted evacuation missions involving Nigerians affected by conflicts, insecurity and humanitarian crises in different parts of the world.

The latest operation follows the recent evacuation of 269 Nigerians from Johannesburg, underscoring the government's continued efforts to facilitate the safe and orderly return of citizens affected by the deteriorating security situation in South Africa.