Nigeria Continues South Africa Evacuation Flights

The Federal Government has confirmed that another Nigeria evacuation flight from South Africa will arrive in Lagos on Tuesday as efforts continue to protect Nigerian citizens.

According to Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an Air Peace aircraft departed Nigeria on Monday and is expected to return on Tuesday morning with another group of Nigerians who chose to leave South Africa. The Nigeria evacuation exercise comes ahead of anti-immigration protests scheduled to begin on 30 June, raising concerns about the safety of foreign nationals.

The government continues to support the voluntary return of Nigerians who have registered for the programme. Reports indicate that more than 700 Nigerians remain in South Africa, although earlier bureaucratic delays slowed the release of funds approved by President Bola Tinubu for the operation.

Ebienfa advised Nigerians who remain in South Africa after the planned protests to stay calm, remain security conscious and avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place. He also encouraged them to maintain regular contact with the Nigerian High Commission for updates and assistance.

The Nigeria evacuation programme was approved earlier this month to help citizens willing to return home safely. On 7 June, the government announced five Air Peace evacuation flights after screening more than 500 Nigerians for the exercise. Before the latest mission, authorities had already brought home 328 Nigerians in two batches. The first flight arrived on 11 June with 262 returnees, while a second flight landed on 25 June carrying 66 people.

The government said it is coordinating the operation with Air Peace and relevant agencies while working closely with South African authorities to protect Nigerians who remain in the country during the ongoing Nigeria evacuation effort.

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