The fourth batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, late Thursday aboard an Air Peace flight.
The returnees, comprising 272 adults and 12 infants, were brought back under the Federal Government’s ongoing voluntary evacuation programme amid renewed xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant protests in South Africa.
Images from the arrival showed passengers disembarking the aircraft through mobile stairs onto the tarmac at the airport late at night.
Families with young children, many carrying luggage and personal belongings, were seen moving across the airport apron with assistance from airport personnel wearing high-visibility vests.
Earlier on Thursday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, announced the departure of the evacuation flight from South Africa.
“The fourth evacuation flight, conveying our nationals back from South Africa following xenophobic protests and attacks ongoing in that country, departed Oliver Tambo International Airport at 2:50 pm South African time today, July 9, 2026.
“On board the aircraft are 287 nationals, comprising 272 adults and 12 infants, in addition to airline crew and Nigerian officials,” she said in a statement posted on her X handle.
The minister explained that the Air Peace aircraft originally scheduled for the operation could not fly after its windshield was reportedly damaged in Johannesburg, prompting the airline to deploy a replacement aircraft.
“Air Peace swiftly deployed a replacement aircraft to facilitate this operation. Expected time of arrival of this flight is 7:30 pm,” she added.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Federal Government remained committed to ensuring the safety of Nigerians who feel threatened by the anti-migrant protests and attacks in South Africa.
“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains committed to providing a pathway to safety for its citizens who consider themselves and their families at risk by remaining in South Africa as a result of the anti-migrant protests and incidents which have engulfed the country.
“In advance, to the returnees, we say, ‘Welcome Home’,” she said.
