Nigeria evacuates more citizens from South Africa as protest tensions rise

The Federal Government has announced that another batch of Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa will arrive in Lagos on Tuesday as authorities intensify efforts to safeguard citizens ahead of planned anti-immigration protests in the country.

The latest evacuation comes amid growing concerns over possible xenophobic attacks linked to demonstrations scheduled to commence on June 30, prompting the government to accelerate its voluntary repatriation programme for Nigerians who wish to return home.

Confirming the development on Monday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said an Air Peace aircraft departed Nigeria to airlift registered Nigerians from South Africa.

According to him, the evacuation flight left Nigeria at about 3:00 p.m. on Monday and was expected to arrive in South Africa at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time before returning to Lagos in the early hours of Tuesday.

“Nigeria will resume the evacuation of our nationals from South Africa today.

“Air Peace aircraft departed Nigeria on Monday, June 29, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. and is expected to arrive in South Africa at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time.

“The return flight is scheduled to depart South Africa at 12:00 midnight and is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning,” Ebienfa stated.

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The evacuation forms part of the Federal Government’s emergency response to rising security concerns ahead of the planned demonstrations, which authorities fear could expose foreign nationals, including Nigerians, to attacks.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier approved the evacuation initiative to assist Nigerians willing to return from South Africa following intelligence reports indicating potential threats associated with the planned protests.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously disclosed that five Air Peace flights were approved after more than 500 Nigerians successfully completed the screening process for evacuation.

Despite the ongoing operations, hundreds of Nigerians are still awaiting repatriation.

Reports indicate that more than 700 Nigerians remain stranded in South Africa, with the evacuation process reportedly slowed by delays in the release of approved funds, despite presidential authorisation for the exercise.

Before the latest flight, the Federal Government had successfully evacuated 328 Nigerians through two previous operations.

The first batch of 262 returnees arrived in Lagos on June 11, while another 66 Nigerians were brought home on June 25.

The evacuation exercise is being coordinated by the Federal Government in collaboration with Air Peace and relevant agencies to ensure the safe return of affected citizens.

Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities have advised citizens who choose to remain in South Africa to exercise extreme caution throughout the protest period.

Ebienfa urged Nigerians to remain calm, stay security conscious and avoid locations where demonstrations are expected to take place.

“Remain calm and security conscious. Avoid routes and areas dominated by protesters and always remain in contact with the Nigerian High Commission for necessary updates,” he advised.

The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria has also continued to issue safety advisories, urging Nigerians to limit unnecessary movement, avoid protest venues and remain vigilant as security agencies monitor developments.

The Federal Government further disclosed that it is maintaining close diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to ensure adequate protection for Nigerians who remain in the country while the evacuation exercise continues.

The renewed evacuation underscores the government’s determination to protect the lives and welfare of its citizens abroad amid renewed fears of xenophobic violence, which has claimed the lives and livelihoods of several foreign nationals during previous outbreaks in South Africa.