*271 To Arrive Lagos Tuesday
THE Federal Government will evacuate 271 Nigerians stranded in South Africa on Tuesday June 30, ahead of the day’s deadline set by anti-immigration vigilante groups and protesters for illegal migrants to leave the country.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, in an update on Monday, June 29, said Air Peace aircraft will depart Nigeria on Monday, at 3pm for the evacuation, and arrive same day, while it will return to Nigeria at midnight to arrive on Tuesday morning.
The vigilante groups have demanded that undocumented foreigners, especially blacks, should leave South Africa, thereby sparking widespread fear of xenophobic unrest, making several African countries to evacuate their citizens.
Ebienfa, in a terse statement, said: “Nigeria will resume the evacuation of our nationals from South Africa today (Monday).
“Air Peace aircraft will depart Nigeria today, Monday, 29th June, 2026, at 3pm, and is expected to arrive in South Africa at approximately 9pm local time.
“The return flight is scheduled to depart South Africa at 12 midnight and is expected to arrive Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning.
“The expected number is 271.”
Ebienfa urged Nigerians who may remain in South Africa after the deadline to stay calm, remain security-conscious, avoid areas where protesters are gathering and maintain regular contact with the Nigerian High Commission for updates and assistance.
Before now, the Federal Government had evacuated 328 Nigerians in two batches, first arrived on June 11 with 262 Nigerians, while the second batch of 66 returnees arrived in Lagos on June 25.
The exercise is being coordinated by the Federal Government, in collaboration with Air Peace and relevant agencies.
The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria had earlier advised Nigerians to avoid unnecessary movement, stay away from protest venues and remain vigilant, following intelligence reports of planned demonstrations targeting foreigners, even as the Federal Government said it was working closely with South African authorities to ensure the safety of Nigerians, while continuing the evacuation of those wishing to return home.
