Nigeria Evacuates 284 Citizens from South Africa Amid Crisis

On July 9, 2026, the Federal Government of Nigeria successfully evacuated another batch of 284 Nigerians from South Africa, marking the fifth flight in an ongoing repatriation exercise amid rising xenophobic tensions in the country. The flight, operated by Air Peace, arrived at the Hajj Cargo Terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos late Thursday.

The Nigeria Immigration Service documented the new arrivals, which included 272 adults, 12 infants, and two officials. This evacuation is part of a government-sponsored initiative to assist citizens feeling endangered in South Africa.

The total number of Nigerians repatriated through this exercise has now reached 1,085, following previous flights on June 11 (262 Nigerians), June 30 (271 Nigerians), and July 3 (268 Nigerians). Air Peace confirmed the successful completion of this humanitarian operation, emphasizing its commitment to supporting Nigeria's emergency response efforts and ensuring the safe return of its citizens.