FG evacuates 268 Nigerians from Johannesburg as renewed xenophobic tensions in South Africa prompt urgent government action and continued safety monitoring efforts
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Friday, 3 July 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria, coordinated the evacuation of 268 Nigerian nationals from Johannesburg, South Africa, amid renewed xenophobic tensions and rising insecurity affecting foreign residents in several parts of the country.
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The operation was carried out via a special chartered Air Peace flight, marking another phase of the government’s ongoing emergency repatriation programme.
Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the aircraft departed O.R. Tambo International Airport at approximately 5:36 a.m. before landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 10:40 a.m., where Nigerian officials received the returnees for documentation, profiling and welfare support.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that the evacuation followed presidential directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who ordered sustained efforts to ensure the safe return of Nigerians who voluntarily registered and were cleared for evacuation.
“The Federal Government is committed to bringing home safely our nationals who voluntarily registered to be evacuated and have been duly screened and cleared,” she said.
The latest flight brought back 268 returnees alongside two crew members and officials, as part of a coordinated response to what authorities described as heightened risks faced by foreign nationals in South Africa.
The operation comes after reports of renewed xenophobic demonstrations and threats targeting migrant communities, which have raised alarm among diplomatic missions.
Officials confirmed that the returnees would undergo standard registration and reintegration procedures upon arrival, with relevant government agencies providing necessary humanitarian and administrative support.
The evacuation process, described as “urgent and structured,” has now brought the total number of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa in recent weeks to nearly 900.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that previous evacuations had already moved several hundred Nigerians before the most recent operation, stressing that the government would continue to act until all willing citizens are safely returned.
She added that Nigeria remains committed to the protection and dignity of its citizens abroad, describing it as a core responsibility under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The dignity of our citizens abroad matters, and we remain committed to upholding it,” she said.
The development highlights ongoing diplomatic concerns between Nigeria and South Africa over the safety of Nigerian nationals, as authorities monitor the evolving security situation and prepare for possible further evacuation rounds if conditions worsen.
Also read: Air Peace Evacuates 269 Nigerians From South Africa in Second Repatriation Flight
Despite recurring tensions, officials insist that cooperation between both countries remains intact, with diplomatic channels active in managing the situation and preventing further escalation.
