The Federal Government has concluded arrangements to evacuate 271 Nigerians from South Africa as concerns mount over threats directed at undocumented foreign nationals in the country.
The evacuation flight, scheduled for Monday, June 29, will be operated by Air Peace, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, disclosed that the aircraft is expected to depart Nigeria at 3:00 p.m. and arrive in South Africa at about 9:00 p.m. local time.
He said the return flight will leave South Africa at midnight and is expected to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning with 271 evacuees on board.
“Nigeria will resume the evacuation of our nationals from South Africa today,” Ebienfa said in a statement.
He added: “Air Peace aircraft will depart Nigeria today, Monday, June 29, 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 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning. The expected number is 271.”
The evacuation follows rising tensions in South Africa after anti-immigration vigilante groups reportedly issued a June 30 deadline for undocumented foreign nationals, particularly black Africans, to leave the country.
The development has heightened fears of possible xenophobic attacks, prompting several African countries to begin evacuating their citizens from South Africa.
South African authorities have, however, condemned the threats and deployed security personnel, including police and military officers, to maintain law and order across the country.
