The Federal Government has confirmed that an additional 271 Nigerians displaced by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa are expected to arrive in Lagos on Friday as the evacuation programme continues.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa. The ministry said the latest group of returnees represents another major step toward concluding the voluntary evacuation of Nigerians who registered to come back home.
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According to the statement, the third evacuation flight is scheduled to touch down at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026, carrying 271 passengers.
The ministry noted that 593 Nigerians have already been successfully brought back from South Africa through earlier evacuation operations.
It recalled that the first group of 258 evacuees arrived on June 11 aboard a special Air Peace flight. They were received by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, on behalf of the Federal Government before being handed over to the appropriate ministries, departments and agencies for registration and documentation.
The ministry explained that operational and logistical difficulties delayed the second evacuation exercise, forcing some stranded Nigerians to remain temporarily at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, where officials ensured they received adequate care and support.
It further revealed that a Nigerian philanthropist generously sponsored the airfare for 66 stranded citizens, enabling them to return to Lagos on June 24. Another 269 Nigerians were subsequently evacuated on June 30 aboard the second government-organised flight.
The statement added that three more evacuation flights are expected to be conducted in the coming days to transport about 700 additional Nigerians who have completed the registration, screening and clearance process.
Responding to allegations that officials at the Nigerian Mission demanded payment from prospective evacuees, the ministry strongly denied the claims.
It stressed that every special evacuation flight is fully funded by the Federal Government, meaning no returnee is required to pay for transportation. The ministry described reports suggesting that mission staff requested money before adding names to the evacuation list as false, misleading and entirely unfounded.
The ministry also praised the effective collaboration among the various ministries, departments and agencies involved in the operation, noting that their coordinated efforts have contributed significantly to the success of the exercise.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, the ministry stated that the evacuation exercise reflects Nigeria’s foreign policy priority of safeguarding its citizens overseas. It added that the initiative demonstrates the government’s resolve to ensure Nigerians affected by crises abroad receive the support, respect and assistance they deserve, emphasizing that the welfare of Nigerians living outside the country remains of great importance.
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