The Federal Government has announced that another batch of Nigerians will be evacuated from South Africa on Tuesday as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of citizens ahead of planned anti-immigrant protests in the country.
According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, an Air Peace aircraft departed Nigeria on Monday and is scheduled to return to Lagos on Tuesday morning with another group of Nigerians who opted for voluntary evacuation.
The latest evacuation comes as anti-immigration groups prepare to stage demonstrations beginning June 30. The government has continued its repatriation exercise for Nigerians who have indicated willingness to return home.
Providing details of the operation, Ebienfa said: “Nigeria will resume the evacuation of our nationals from South Africa today.
“An Air Peace aircraft will depart Nigeria today, Monday, June 29, 2026, at 3:00 pm and is expected to arrive in South Africa at about 9:00 pm local time.
“The return flight is scheduled to depart South Africa at 12:00 midnight and arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning.”
He said about 271 Nigerians are expected on the latest evacuation flight.
President Bola Tinubu had approved the voluntary evacuation programme earlier in the month to allow Nigerians willing to leave South Africa to return safely amid rising tensions.
Earlier in June, the Federal Government approved five Air Peace evacuation flights after more than 500 Nigerians were screened for possible repatriation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the exercise was designed to ensure all registered citizens who wished to return were safely evacuated.
Before the latest operation, 328 Nigerians had already been repatriated in two batches — 262 arrived on June 11, while 66 returned on June 25.
The evacuation exercise is being coordinated by the Federal Government in partnership with Air Peace and other relevant agencies.
