272 Nigerians Return From South Africa Amid Xenophobic Tensions

(South Africa Evacuation. Photo Credit: Nws Express)

The fourth batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, late Thursday aboard an Air Peace flight.

The returnees, comprising 272 adults and 12 infants, arrived as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing voluntary evacuation exercise amid escalating xenophobic att@cks and anti-immigrant protests in South Africa.

Images from the arrival shared by a television programme showed the passengers disembarking the aircraft via mobile stairs onto the tarmac under the night sky. Families with young children, many carrying luggage and personal belongings, walked across the airport apron, assisted by airport staff in high-visibility vests.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had earlier on Thursday announced the departure of the returnees, disclosing that the fourth evacuation flight, conveying Nigerian nationals back from South Africa.

Following xenophobic protests and att@cks ongoing in that country, departed Oliver Tambo International Airport at 2:50pm South African time on July 9, 2026.

According to her, 287 nationals were on board the aircraft, comprising 272 adults and 12 infants, in addition to airline crew and Nigerian officials.

She explained that the Air Peace aircraft earlier scheduled to evacuate this batch of evacuees was unable to operate after its windshield reportedly shattered in Johannesburg, prompting Air Peace to swiftly deploy a replacement aircraft to facilitate the operation, with the flight expected to arrive at 7:30pm.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu added that the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains committed to providing a pathway to safety for its citizens who consider themselves and their families at risk by remaining in South Africa as a result of the anti-migrant protests and incidents that have engulfed the country.