FG Evacuates 271 Nigerians from South Africa in Fresh Repatriation Flight

(Nigerians from South Africa. Photo Credit: Realnews Magazine)

Following the need to safeguard the lives of its citizens, the Federal Government has announced that the third evacuation flight for Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa will depart Johannesburg at midnight on Thursday with 271 returnees on board.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, saying that the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.

The ministry said the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa.

According to the statement, the third evacuation flight, operated by Air Peace, was set to depart Johannesburg by midnight with 271 returnees on board, with an estimated arrival time in Lagos of 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.

The latest batch of returnees follows earlier evacuation flights that brought hundreds of Nigerians back to the country under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.