The Federal Government’s scheduled evacuation of 270 stranded Nigerians from South Africa has been delayed due to a fault detected in the Air Peace aircraft designated for the operation.
According to Kimiebi Ebienfa, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pre-flight safety checks in Johannesburg revealed cracks on the cockpit windscreen of the aircraft.
He said that during pre-flight safety checks in Johannesburg, engineers discovered cracks on the cockpit windscreen of the designated Air Peace aircraft. As a strict safety precaution for the passengers and crew, the aircraft was grounded immediately, he stated.
“We have a situation in Johannesburg, South Africa, regarding the operation of the fourth evacuation flight. The flight couldn’t take off because cracks were discovered on the windscreen in the cockpit. Air Peace will deploy another aircraft to South Africa later today to bring the returnees,” Ebienfa stated.
According to earlier plans, the aircraft, which arrived in Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, was expected to return to Lagos airport on the morning of Wednesday, July 8, with the evacuees.
Ebienfa said Air Peace is deploying a replacement aircraft to Johannesburg to complete the airlift and minimize the disruption.
This operation is part of the final phase of an ongoing emergency repatriation exercise being done by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The federal government extended the evacuation programme past its initial June 30 deadline following renewed xenophobic tensions and the tragic deaths of two Nigerian citizens in South Africa – Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu – on June 28.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has apologised for the delay of the flight and assured the returnees that arrangements are moving quickly to bring them home safely.
Earlier in a statement on Monday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, called on South African authorities to urgently investigate the recent killing of the two Nigerians and bring those responsible to justice.
The minister urged Nigerians who feel unsafe in South Africa to take advantage of the Federal Government-sponsored evacuation flights to be brought home, noting that there are no signs that the situation is improving.
“Our citizens are strongly advised to take advantage of this extension and utilize the full capacity of the aircraft. Another evacuation flight will leave for Johannesburg tomorrow, Tuesday 7th July, to bring home our citizens,” the minister stated in a statement posted on her verified X handle on Monday.
Victor Ezeja is a Nigerian journalist skilled in producing insightful news analyses, feature stories, and interviews that simplify complex issues and drive informed public discourse. His work combines rigorous research, balanced reporting, and compelling storytelling to highlight developments shaping industries and society. Victor, who holds a Master's Degree in Mass Communication, specializes in energy, aviation, business, and economic reporting. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X