Nigeria Airlifts 39 More Citizens from South Africa

The Nigerian Government has evacuated an additional 39 Nigerians from Johannesburg, South Africa, aboard an emergency Air Peace flight arranged for citizens who missed the previous evacuation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the special flight was organised to ensure those unable to board Thursday’s aircraft could return home without affecting the scheduled evacuation programme.

She explained that the arrangement would prevent delays for other Nigerians who completed their travel documentation within the approved timeframe.

The aircraft is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Friday evening.

Nigeria Reports High Repatriation Demand From South Africa (News Central TV) — Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Credit: The Guardian Nigeria

The minister commended Air Peace for providing the emergency service and supporting the government’s evacuation efforts.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also disclosed that the final evacuation flight, expected to bring home about 300 more Nigerians, is scheduled to arrive next week.

She reaffirmed the Nigerian Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians affected by the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The evacuation exercise, which began on June 11 following renewed anti-migrant violence, has already returned several batches of Nigerians to the country after President Bola Tinubu approved an extension of the programme beyond its original deadline.

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