The Federal Government has airlifted 39 more Nigerians from Johannesburg, South Africa, as it continues to evacuate citizens affected by xenophobic attacks.
The extra Air Peace flight carried Nigerians who could not board Thursday’s evacuation flight, as a result, the government prevented delays to its scheduled evacuation programme.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the emergency flight ensured that passengers who completed their travel documents on time did not lose their scheduled seats.
The aircraft will arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at 8:50 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026.
Meanwhile, Odumegwu-Ojukwu thanked Air Peace for providing the additional flight praising the airline for supporting the government’s evacuation efforts.
She also announced that the final evacuation flight will arrive next week saying that it will bring home about 300 more Nigerians from South Africa.
Furthermore, the minister said President Bola Tinubu remains committed to protecting Nigerians living in South Africa and she assured citizens that the government will continue to respond to the ongoing xenophobic attacks.
The evacuation programme started on June 11, 2026, after fresh anti-migrant attacks spread across South Africa. The violence claimed the lives of several Nigerians, including Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu.
Earlier, President Tinubu extended the evacuation exercise beyond the June 30 deadline, consequently, more Nigerians now have the opportunity to return home safely.
