The Federal Government is concluding its emergency evacuation from South Africa with a final Air Peace flight expected to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, carrying 315 citizens.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this fifth and final flight departs Johannesburg at 1:30 a.m. and arrives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 6:30 a.m., ending the repatriation effort prompted by security concerns.
According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight marks the conclusion of the Federal Government’s evacuation programme for Nigerians who indicated interest in returning home following the recent wave of xenophobic violence and insecurity in parts of South Africa.
The statement noted that the government had already completed four evacuation flights, successfully returning hundreds of Nigerians to the country as part of efforts to safeguard the lives and welfare of its citizens abroad.
“The fifth and final evacuation flight is scheduled to depart Johannesburg at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, and is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 6:30 a.m.,” the ministry stated.
It added that the latest operation would conclude the evacuation exercise initiated for Nigerians affected by the security situation in South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians wherever they reside, while expressing appreciation to Air Peace and all agencies and stakeholders that supported the evacuation process.
The latest batch of returnees is expected to bring the government’s emergency airlift programme to a close, ending weeks of coordinated efforts to bring home Nigerians displaced by the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
