The Federal Government will today resume the evacuation of 271 Nigerians from South Africa following growing concerns over threats issued by anti-immigration vigilante groups in the country.
According to The Guardian Nigeria, the evacuation flight will be operated by Air Peace, with the aircraft scheduled to depart Nigeria at 3:00 p.m. on Monday for Johannesburg.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the aircraft is expected to leave South Africa at midnight and arrive in Nigeria on Tuesday morning with the evacuees.
The evacuation comes after anti-immigration vigilante groups reportedly issued an ultimatum directing undocumented foreign nationals, particularly Black African migrants, to leave South Africa before June 30, 2026. The development has raised fears of possible xenophobic attacks, prompting several African countries to begin repatriating their citizens.
South African authorities have condemned the threats and deployed police and military personnel to maintain law and order across the country.
Confirming the operation, Ebienfa said: “Nigeria will resume the evacuation of our nationals from South Africa today.”
The Federal Government said the exercise is aimed at ensuring the safety of Nigerians who voluntarily chose to return home following the heightened security concerns.