xenophobic: Nigeria Reschedules South Africa Evacuation Flights

The Federal Government has postponed the first evacuation flight for Nigerians leaving South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks.

The Federal Government has announced a change to the schedule for the first batch of Nigerian citizens in South Africa seeking voluntary evacuation amid recent xenophobic attacks. The initial airlift, which was planned for Monday, has now been moved to Wednesday due to logistical challenges.

The update was provided by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in an official statement released on Monday. He explained that the adjustment became necessary because of unforeseen operational considerations affecting the planned departure.

Also Read| Nigeria Plans Repatriation From South Africa

According to Ebienfa, President Bola Tinubu approved five evacuation flights to assist Nigerians who wish to return home. The operations will be handled by Air Peace, a Nigerian private airline selected to carry out the exercise.

The first flight is expected to transport approximately 270 passengers from Johannesburg once all required permits and regulatory clearances have been secured. Officials said the aircraft is scheduled to depart on Wednesday evening under the revised arrangement.

The government has also extended the screening process for Nigerians interested in returning from South Africa. Originally expected to conclude earlier, the exercise will now continue until Wednesday to accommodate more applicants.

Ebienfa confirmed that the screening programme has already processed a significant number of people. He noted that information received from Nigeria’s mission in Pretoria showed that more than 500 citizens had been screened and cleared for possible evacuation.

The Nigeria evacuation flights form part of the government’s response to concerns over the safety of Nigerians affected by the wave of xenophobic violence. Authorities say efforts remain focused on ensuring that all interested citizens receive the necessary assistance and support throughout the process.

Do you think governments should have stronger emergency plans in place to protect citizens facing crises abroad?