A fresh batch of 270 stranded Nigerians in South Africa will return home on Wednesday morning, according to the Federal Government.
A statement on Monday by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed that the plane to evacuate the Nigerians will depart Tuesday (today).
“In continuation of the ongoing evacuation of our nationals from South Africa, AirPeace aircraft deployed for the process is expected to depart Lagos tomorrow, Tuesday 7 July, 2026 for Johannesburg, South Africa at 3.30pm.
“The aircraft will depart Johannesburg for Lagos with 270 returnees at 12.00 midnight and the estimated time of arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos is 5.00am on Wednesday, 8 July, 2026 all things being equal,” according to the short statement.
Earlier in the day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in South Africa, calling on Nigerians who are feeling unsafe to take advantage of the Federal Government’s initiative.
In a post on her verified social media platforms, she said, ‘Nigeria remains concerned about the safety of its citizens in South Africa as a result of the ongoing Xenophobic protests and attacks of migrants, and even more so following the deaths of 2 Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu during these unfortunate events.
“We demand that South African authorities urgently investigate the incidents and bring those responsible to justice, and are urging our citizens who consider their lives at risk to take advantage of the FG-sponsored evacuation flights to be transported home.
