Air Peace flight expected in Lagos Tuesday morning as government intensifies voluntary return programme for citizens in South Africa…..
The Federal Government has announced the evacuation of another group of Nigerians from South Africa on Tuesday, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of citizens ahead of planned anti-immigrant demonstrations in the country.
The latest repatriation exercise is being coordinated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with Air Peace, which continues to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians willing to come home.
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 271 Nigerians on board.
Ebienfa explained that the evacuation is part of a broader government response following indications of planned protests by anti-immigration groups in South Africa, expected to begin on June 30.
“Nigeria will resume the evacuation of our nationals from South Africa today,” he said.
“Air Peace aircraft will depart Nigeria today, Monday, June 29, 2026, at 3:00 pm and is expected to arrive in South Africa at approximately 9:00 pm local time. The return flight is scheduled to depart South Africa at 12:00 midnight and is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning.”
President Bola Tinubu had earlier approved the voluntary evacuation programme to ensure Nigerians who wish to leave South Africa can do so safely and in an organised manner.
This latest flight follows earlier evacuations conducted in June, during which hundreds of Nigerians were brought back home. In the first batch, 262 returnees arrived in Lagos on June 11, while a second group of 66 Nigerians landed on June 25.
In total, more than 500 Nigerians have been screened for repatriation as part of the ongoing exercise, with the government approving multiple evacuation flights to complete the process.
Before Tuesday’s operation, 328 Nigerians had already been evacuated in two separate batches.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the exercise remains a coordinated effort involving relevant government agencies and Air Peace to ensure the safe return of affected nationals as tensions rise in parts of South Africa.
Authorities say further flights may follow depending on the number of Nigerians still willing to return under the voluntary evacuation programme.
