Another batch of Nigerians fleeing escalating anti-migrant violence in South Africa has arrived safely in Lagos as the Federal Government continues its evacuation efforts.
A total of 268 returnees, along with two officers and crew members, were flown into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Friday aboard a special Air Peace charter flight from Johannesburg. The flight departed Oliver Tambo International Airport at about 5:36 a.m.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed the development in a statement on her X account, noting that the evacuation exercise is ongoing and will continue for Nigerians who have voluntarily registered and undergone screening.
She said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed that the evacuation should proceed despite the expiration of a June 30 ultimatum issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa.
According to her, three earlier evacuation flights had already brought back nearly 600 Nigerians before the deadline.
“The evacuations remain ongoing. The Federal Government is committed to bringing home safely our nationals who voluntarily registered to be evacuated and have been duly screened and cleared,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu added that protecting Nigerians abroad remains a key priority of the administration, describing it as part of the “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The latest evacuation comes amid intensified anti-immigrant protests in South Africa, where demonstrators have demanded the removal of undocumented foreign nationals, blaming them for unemployment and pressure on public services.
Reports indicate that at least four people have been killed in the recent wave of violence. Several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique, have also begun voluntary repatriation of their citizens.
The Nigerian government has also signaled plans to engage South African authorities over possible compensation for Nigerians who lost businesses and properties during the unrest.
