ABUJA, Nigeria — An additional evacuation flight conveying 39 Nigerian nationals from Johannesburg is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Friday night as part of ongoing efforts to repatriate citizens affected by xenophobic incidents in South Africa.
The emergency arrangement, facilitated by Air Peace, was introduced to accommodate Nigerians who were unable to return on an earlier scheduled evacuation flight.
Officials said the special flight is designed to prevent any disruption or spillover from the pre-arranged evacuation programme for nationals who completed their documentation within the stipulated deadline.
The aircraft is expected to land in Lagos at about 8:50 p.m. on July 10, 2026.
Authorities expressed appreciation to Air Peace for supporting the additional operation, describing the airline’s role as critical to the success of the evacuation exercise.
The government also confirmed that a final evacuation flight, expected to convey about 300 Nigerians, is scheduled to arrive next week to conclude the repatriation process.
The evacuation follows rising xenophobic tensions in parts of South Africa, which have affected foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to officials, remains committed to ensuring the safety, welfare and timely return of Nigerians impacted by the situation.
