The Federal Government has concluded arrangements to evacuate the final batch of 315 Nigerians stranded in South Africa, with their arrival scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the returnees will be airlifted aboard an Air Peace flight, which is expected to depart South Africa at 1:30 a.m. and land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos by 6:30 a.m.
The ministry disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
The evacuation exercise is part of the Federal Government’s response to the recent wave of xenophobic attacks and growing security concerns affecting Nigerians residing in parts of South Africa.
Before the scheduled flight, the government had successfully conducted four evacuation operations, bringing home hundreds of Nigerians who voluntarily chose to return.
The most recent batch comprised 40 returnees.
Officials said the ongoing exercise is strictly for Nigerians who registered their willingness to return home in the wake of the attacks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare and security of Nigerians living abroad.
It also expressed appreciation to Air Peace and other stakeholders whose support made the evacuation exercise possible, describing the operation as part of the government’s continued efforts to protect its citizens wherever they may be.
