By Ayo Kehinde
The Federal Government has commenced the final phase of its emergency evacuation of Nigerians stranded in South Africa, deploying an Air Peace aircraft to airlift 271 citizens back home ahead of the June 30 deadline issued by anti-immigration vigilante groups targeting undocumented foreign nationals.
The evacuation flight, scheduled to depart Nigeria on Monday afternoon, marks the culmination of the government’s emergency response following growing fears of possible xenophobic violence in South Africa.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed in a statement on Monday that the Air Peace aircraft would depart Nigeria at 3:00 p.m. and arrive in South Africa at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time.
According to him, the return flight is scheduled to leave South Africa at midnight and is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning with 271 Nigerians on board.
“Nigeria will resume the evacuation of our nationals from South Africa today. Air Peace aircraft will depart Nigeria today, Monday, 29th June 2026, at 3:00 p.m., and is expected to arrive in South Africa at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time. The return flight is scheduled to depart South Africa at 12:00 midnight and is expected to arrive Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Tuesday morning. The expected number is 271”, the statement read.
Officials said the operation would conclude the planned airlift of registered Nigerians who indicated their willingness to return home amid the uncertainty surrounding the security situation in South Africa.
The latest evacuation follows heightened anxiety among African migrant communities after anti-immigration vigilante groups reportedly issued a June 30 ultimatum demanding that undocumented foreign nationals, particularly black African migrants, leave South Africa or face forcible removal.
The threats triggered concerns over a possible resurgence of xenophobic attacks that have, over the years, claimed lives, destroyed businesses and displaced thousands of African migrants, including Nigerians.
In response to the growing tension, several African countries activated contingency plans to evacuate their citizens from South Africa as a precautionary measure.
South African authorities have, however, strongly condemned the activities and threats of the vigilante groups, insisting that immigration enforcement remains the exclusive responsibility of government agencies.
The South African government has also deployed additional police and military personnel across identified flashpoints to maintain law and order, reassure residents and prevent any outbreak of violence.
