The Federal Government has announced plans to evacuate another batch of 270 Nigerians from South Africa on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, following renewed xenophobic tensions in the country.
The returnees are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday morning aboard an Air Peace flight chartered by the Federal Government for the evacuation exercise.
This was confirmed in a statement released on Monday, July 6 by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the statement, the Air Peace aircraft is scheduled to depart Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, for Johannesburg at 3:30 PM on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. It said the flight is expected to depart Johannesburg with the evacuees at midnight and return to Lagos airport at 5:00 AM on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
This evacuation is part of the government’s ongoing voluntary repatriation programme. The recent wave of anti-immigrant sentiment and violence, including the deaths of at least two Nigerians, has raised significant safety concerns and prompted this coordinated effort.
The operation is being coordinated by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming the schedule. This latest flight follows previous evacuation operations and is part of a broader effort, with a final evacuation flight also expected to arrive in South Africa on July 10.
Currently, 593 Nigerians have been safely evacuated from South Africa in three separate operations in the last one month as tension heightened in the Southern African nation.
In the first batch of the evacuation, 258 Nigerians were conveyed home in a flight operated by Air Peace airline on June 11. The second batch of 66 Nigerians was brought home by a South African Airways flight on June 24. The third batch saw the arrival of 269 Nigerians on another flight operated by Air Peace on Tuesday, June 30, from Johannesburg.
In the wake of renewed tension after the June 30 deadline given by South African nationals for foreigners to leave, two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, were killed. While Yunana Joe was killed by suspected criminals on 28th June, 2026, in Witbank, Mpumalanga, Iroegbu was allegedly killed by some officers of the Tshwane Metro Police on 28th June, 2026, in Sunnyside, Pretoria.
Commenting on the unfortunate incidents, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, called on South African authorities to urgently investigate the incidents and bring those responsible to justice.
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Ambassador Ojukwu urged Nigerians in South Africa who consider their lives at risk to take advantage of the Federal Government-sponsored evacuation flights to be transported 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.
She further stated that the last evacuation flight is expected to arrive in South Africa on 10th July to pick up citizens who are willing to return home.
“The last evacuation flight is expected to arrive in South Africa on 10th July. Our Nationals are again advised to weigh the risks regarding whether to remain or return. For many still sitting on the fence, they should do well to note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but not lives lost.”
She added that the Federal Government remains committed to the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad and will take all necessary steps to protect them.
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