The Nigerian federal government will receive another set of 39 Nigerians fleeing the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, following earlier evacuation efforts that led to the return of 1,141 Nigerians so far from the former Apartheid enclave.
On Thursday, the fourth evacuation flight brought back 282 Nigerians, who landed the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
According to a statement issued on Friday from the Spokesman of the Ministry Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the 39 Nigerian Nationals are on a flight back from Johannesburg to Lagos on emergency travel arrangements facilitated by Air Peace in order to accommodate those unable to return on Thursday’s flight.
“This is to ensure that there is no interruption or spillover from the ongoing pre-scheduled evacuation flights from South Africa, regarding our nationals who effected their documentation within the stipulated deadline.
“The flight is expected to arrive MMI Airport today, 10 July 2026. at 20.50 p.m. wish to convey our appreciation for the management of Airpeace for their collaboration and facilitation of this additional exercise.
“The last evacuation flight which is expected to bring home approximately 300 of our Nationals is expected to arrive Nigeria next week,” the statement added.
The statement noted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to the welfare, protection and safe return of Nigerian nationals imperiled as a result of the xenophobic incidents that are ongoing in South Africa.
