The Federal Government of Nigeria has evacuated an additional 39 Nigerians from Johannesburg, South Africa, as part of its ongoing emergency repatriation programme for citizens affected by the recent wave of xenophobic violence.
The latest evacuation, facilitated by Air Peace, was arranged to accommodate Nigerians who were unable to board Thursday’s scheduled flight, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The minister said the special flight was organised to ensure that Nigerians who missed the previous evacuation due to logistical constraints could still return home without disrupting the existing evacuation schedule.
“This additional flight was facilitated by Air Peace to accommodate 39 Nigerian nationals who were unable to return on yesterday’s evacuation flight,” she stated.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that the arrangement would prevent any spillover into the pre-scheduled evacuation operations for citizens who completed their travel documentation within the stipulated timeframe.
She added that the aircraft was expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Friday evening, bringing another batch of returnees safely back to the country.
The minister also commended the management of Air Peace for supporting the Federal Government’s humanitarian intervention by providing the additional emergency flight.
She disclosed that the final phase of the evacuation exercise is scheduled for next week and is expected to bring home about 300 more Nigerians from South Africa.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said President Bola Tinubu remains resolute in ensuring the safety and welfare of citizens affected by the ongoing xenophobic attacks and anti-migrant protests in South Africa.
The latest evacuation follows Thursday’s operation, during which 287 Nigerians, including adults and infants, were repatriated after Air Peace deployed a replacement aircraft when the original plane developed a technical fault in Johannesburg.
The emergency evacuation programme commenced on June 11, 2026, following renewed xenophobic attacks across South Africa that claimed the lives of several Nigerians, including Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu had earlier approved an extension of the evacuation exercise beyond its original June 30 deadline to enable more stranded Nigerians who wished to return home to benefit from the programme.
