LAGOS, NIGERIA — July 15, 2026
The Federal Government has concluded its emergency evacuation of Nigerians stranded in South Africa following months of xenophobic attacks, with the final government-sponsored flight arriving in Lagos on Wednesday.
The last evacuation flight departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at approximately 6:30 a.m. (South African time), carrying 308 Nigerian nationals and three government officials, before landing safely in Lagos at about 11:30 a.m.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed the successful completion of the operation, stating that the latest flight brings the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to over 1,500.
According to the minister, the evacuation exercise was launched in response to renewed xenophobic attacks and anti-migrant protests that forced many Nigerians to flee their homes and businesses over safety concerns.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the emergency evacuation, describing the intervention as timely and decisive in protecting the lives of affected Nigerians.
She also praised the efforts of Nigerian diplomats, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Air Peace Airlines for their coordination and commitment throughout the evacuation process.
The minister expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their patience and cooperation during the exercise and welcomed the returning citizens home.
The emergency evacuation began after a fresh wave of xenophobic violence erupted in parts of South Africa in April 2026. The Federal Government subsequently organised a series of voluntary evacuation flights and later extended the programme beyond the initial June 30 deadline to accommodate more Nigerians seeking to return home.
With the arrival of the final batch of evacuees, the government says the emergency rescue operation has now been successfully completed.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and provide timely updates on issues affecting Nigerians at home and abroad.
