Nigeria Steps Up Evacuation of Citizens from South Africa

The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that another evacuation flight bringing citizens home from South Africa will arrive in Lagos on Tuesday, as efforts continue to protect Nigerians amid fears of possible xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, an Air Peace evacuation flight departed Nigeria on Monday and is scheduled to return with a new group of stranded citizens on Tuesday morning. The operation forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safe return of Nigerians who have requested assistance.

The latest evacuation comes ahead of planned anti-immigrant protests expected to begin on June 30, with authorities continuing a voluntary return programme for affected nationals. Reports indicate that more than 700 Nigerians are still stranded in South Africa, despite earlier government approval for evacuation funding.

Ebienfa explained that Nigeria has resumed its evacuation exercise, stating that the aircraft left Lagos at about 3:00 pm on Monday, June 29, 2026, and arrived in South Africa around 9:00 pm local time. He added that the return flight is expected to depart shortly after midnight and land at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning.

He advised Nigerians still in South Africa to remain cautious, avoid protest hotspots, and stay in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for updates and guidance. Officials also urged citizens to remain security conscious as tensions rise ahead of the planned demonstrations.

The evacuation effort, approved earlier by President Bola Tinubu, is being carried out in partnership with Air Peace evacuation operations and relevant government agencies. So far, 328 Nigerians have been repatriated in previous batches, including 262 on June 11 and 66 on June 25.

The government also said it is working closely with South African authorities to ensure the safety of Nigerians still in the country while continuing the evacuation of those willing to return home.