- The Federal Government will evacuate 270 Nigerians from South Africa on a special Air Peace flight
- The evacuation follows renewed xenophobic attacks and worsening security concerns
- Nigerians still in South Africa have been urged to take advantage of the remaining evacuation flights
The Federal Government has announced plans to repatriate 270 Nigerians from South Africa as it intensifies efforts to assist citizens affected by renewed xenophobic violence and worsening security conditions.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the evacuation will be carried out through a fourth special Air Peace flight scheduled to depart Lagos for Johannesburg on Tuesday before returning with registered Nigerians who have opted to come home.
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According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the aircraft will leave Lagos at 3:30 p.m. and is expected to transport 270 evacuees back to Nigeria as part of the government’s ongoing voluntary evacuation programme.
The return flight is scheduled to depart Johannesburg at midnight and arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, subject to operational conditions.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed that the latest mission represents the fourth evacuation operation organised by the Federal Government since the outbreak of the recent wave of anti migrant attacks in South Africa.
The government has also urged Nigerians still living in South Africa to complete the required documentation and take advantage of the evacuation programme while flights remain available.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, said the government remained deeply concerned about the welfare of Nigerians in South Africa, particularly after the reported deaths of two citizens, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu.
She stated that Nigeria was closely monitoring the situation and had expanded evacuation arrangements to provide more citizens with an opportunity to return home safely.
The minister called on South African authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the killings and ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.
She also appealed to Nigerians who believe their safety is under threat to make use of the government sponsored evacuation flights without delay.
Odumegwu Ojukwu noted that despite three previous evacuation exercises, there has been little evidence that the security situation in South Africa is improving.
She recalled that President Bola Tinubu approved an extension of the evacuation programme beyond its original June 30 deadline to allow more Nigerians to benefit from the exercise.
According to the minister, another evacuation aircraft will depart for Johannesburg on Tuesday, while the final flight under the current arrangement is expected to arrive in South Africa on July 10.
She encouraged Nigerians who are yet to decide whether to return to carefully assess the risks, stressing that while damaged property and investments can be recovered, lost lives cannot be replaced.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad and said it would continue to monitor developments while providing assistance to citizens affected by the ongoing crisis.
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