Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Government has successfully completed the emergency evacuation of Nigerian citizens from South Africa, with the final batch of returnees arriving in Lagos on Wednesday morning, bringing to a close a weeks-long humanitarian operation triggered by a resurgence of xenophobic attacks and escalating security concerns in the host country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the fifth and final evacuation flight, operated by Air Peace, departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at approximately 6:30 a.m. South African time on July 15, 2026, and touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 11:30 a.m. Nigerian time. The aircraft carried 308 Nigerian nationals and three government officials who coordinated the final phase of the exercise, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, bringing the total number of Nigerians evacuated under the emergency programme to over 1,500.
The evacuation operation was launched in response to a wave of xenophobic violence that engulfed several South African communities, targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians, with attacks that claimed at least five Nigerian lives, destroyed businesses, and displaced hundreds of families. The Federal Government initiated the coordinated repatriation exercise after more than 1,000 Nigerians registered their willingness to return home, following renewed anti-immigrant protests and growing security threats in parts of South Africa. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved five evacuation flights to be operated by Nigeria's private airline, Air Peace, and later extended the exercise beyond the initial June 30 deadline following continued security concerns.
The evacuation programme proceeded in multiple phases, with the first batch of 258 Nigerians arriving on June 11, 2026, marking the beginning of the federal government-coordinated repatriation exercise. Subsequent flights brought home 271 returnees on June 30, 268 on July 3, and 284 on July 9, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An additional batch of 40 Nigerians arrived aboard a chartered flight on July 12, bringing the total number of returnees to 1,174 before the final operation. The evacuation involved multiple Air Peace flights, which conveyed 258, 266, 262 and 282 returnees respectively, while a ValueJet flight brought back 66 Nigerians.
The final flight, initially scheduled to carry 315 passengers, ultimately returned 308 Nigerian nationals and three government officials, with minor discrepancies in passenger numbers attributed to last-minute changes in registration and documentation. The Air Peace Boeing 777-200 wide-body aircraft was deployed for the humanitarian operation, with the airline described as having undertaken more than 16 humanitarian and evacuation missions across Africa and beyond since commencing operations. The evacuation exercise formed part of the Federal Government's broader response to the renewed xenophobic violence, with several ministries, agencies and diplomatic missions working together to ensure the safety and orderly return of affected Nigerians.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate-General in Johannesburg, coordinated with South African authorities while compiling the list of Nigerians seeking voluntary repatriation. Agencies including the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) provided logistical, immigration and reception support throughout the operation. Nigerian missions in South Africa maintained regular engagement with affected citizens, providing consular assistance, documentation and travel coordination.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving and supporting the emergency rescue missions, describing his intervention as decisive and compassionate. She noted that the President's decision to extend the evacuation exercise beyond the June 30 deadline demonstrated his unwavering commitment to protecting Nigerians in distress, regardless of where they reside. The minister commended the Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa, including the Acting High Commissioner in Pretoria, Ambassador Alex Ajayi, the Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ambassador Nini Okey Uche, and other mission staff for coordinating the evacuation exercise. She further praised the management and staff of Air Peace for their role in the airlift operation, describing their contribution as critical to the successful return of the stranded Nigerians.
The evacuation comes against the backdrop of a broader regional crisis, with several African nations stepping up repatriations from South Africa following the resurgence of anti-foreigner sentiment. More than 1,000 Nigerians initially registered for voluntary return, with several hundred evacuated across multiple flights. The Federal Government had earlier warned that South Africa remained unsafe for Nigerians, with the minister disclosing that the evacuation exercise was extended beyond the initial June 30 deadline following continued security concerns. Welcoming the evacuees home, Ojukwu appreciated Nigerians for their patience and confidence in the government's efforts throughout the evacuation process, assuring that the welfare and protection of Nigerian citizens abroad remain a priority for the Federal Government.
The successful completion of the evacuation operation marks a significant achievement for the Federal Government's emergency response mechanisms, demonstrating the capacity to mobilise resources and coordinate multi-agency efforts in times of crisis. However, the operation also highlights the persistent vulnerability of Nigerian citizens abroad and the ongoing challenges posed by xenophobic violence in parts of the continent. As the returnees begin the process of reintegrating into their communities, with some state governments such as Edo pledging N1 million to each indigene who returned as a victim of the attacks, the Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining diplomatic engagement with South Africa to safeguard citizens and prevent future xenophobic attacks. The evacuation serves as a sobering reminder of the precariousness of the African migrant experience and the enduring responsibility of home governments to protect their citizens wherever they may be.
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