By Emmanuel Onyedika
The Federal Government has announced that another group of Nigerians will be evacuated from South Africa on Tuesday as part of measures to safeguard citizens ahead of planned anti-immigrant protests expected to commence on June 30.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an Air Peace aircraft departed Nigeria on Monday to airlift Nigerians who voluntarily registered to return home under the government’s evacuation programme.
Speaking to journalists, ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the operation reflects the government’s determination to protect Nigerians amid concerns over possible xenophobic violence. He disclosed that the Air Peace flight left Nigeria at 3:00 p.m. on Monday and was expected to arrive in South Africa around 9:00 p.m. local time, with the return flight scheduled to depart at midnight and arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Tuesday morning.
Ebienfa advised Nigerians choosing to remain in South Africa during the demonstrations to remain vigilant, avoid protest areas, and stay in regular contact with officials at the Nigerian High Commission for security updates and assistance.
The latest evacuation follows an emergency intervention approved by President Bola Tinubu after intelligence reports indicated that foreign nationals could be targeted during the protests. Earlier this month, the Federal Government approved five Air Peace evacuation flights after more than 500 Nigerians indicated willingness to return home.
So far, 328 Nigerians have already been evacuated in two phases: the first batch of 262 returnees arrived in Lagos on June 11, while another 66 Nigerians were brought back on June 25.