Final evacuation flight from South Africa to bring back 315 Nigerians Wednesday

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The Federal Government has concluded arrangements for the final evacuation of stranded Nigerians from South Africa, with 315 returnees expected to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday on an Air Peace flight.

This was disclosed in a statement signed on Tuesday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.

The statement noted that the fifth and final evacuation flight is scheduled to depart Johannesburg at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, and is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 6:30 a.m.

The Air Peace-operated flight marks the conclusion of the Federal Government’s evacuation of Nigerians who indicated interest in returning home following the recent xenophobic attacks and security concerns in parts of South Africa.

The government had earlier conducted four evacuation flights, bringing home hundreds of Nigerians as part of efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians wherever they may be and expressed appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the evacuation exercise.