The Federal Government has approved five emergency evacuation flights to repatriate Nigerians from South Africa following a resurgence of xenophobic tensions in the country.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed that President Bola Tinubu greenlit the operation, which will be executed by Air Peace.
The initial flight is scheduled to depart Johannesburg, aiming to airlift approximately 270 passengers pending final regulatory and aircraft clearances.
To accommodate the high volume of citizens seeking safety, the government has extended the mandatory screening and verification deadline to Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
This extension modifies the original timeline, which commenced last Thursday and was initially slated to conclude over the weekend.
Officials emphasized that the additional time is crucial for thoroughly vetting applicants and ensuring a smooth repatriation process.
So far, over 500 Nigerians have been successfully screened and cleared for departure out of more than 1,000 individuals who have registered for voluntary repatriation.
Authorities are working around the clock to process the remaining applicants as the geopolitical situation remains volatile. The extended window is expected to allow hundreds more to complete their documentation.
While the first batch of evacuees prepares for departure, specific flight schedules and arrival details remain fluid. “Departure time and estimated time of arrival in Lagos, Nigeria, will be provided when I receive updates from our High Commission in South Africa,” Ebienfa stated.
The Nigerian government continues to monitor the situation closely, coordinating with its mission in Pretoria to ensure the security of its citizens during the evacuation exercise.
