A fresh wave of fear has gripped Nigerians living in South Africa as the Federal Government prepares another emergency evacuation, bringing home 270 citizens in the fourth rescue flight since renewed xenophobic tensions erupted.
The Air Peace aircraft assigned to the operation is expected to leave Johannesburg at midnight and arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
The latest evacuation signals growing concern over the safety of Nigerians, many of whom have chosen to abandon their lives and livelihoods in South Africa amid fears of renewed attacks targeting foreign nationals.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa confirmed that the evacuation remains part of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad and assisting those who wish to return home safely.
The fourth rescue mission reflects the continuing impact of xenophobic violence, which has repeatedly threatened African migrants and strained relations across the continent. For many returnees, the journey home represents not only an escape from uncertainty but also a chance to rebuild their lives in safety.
As another plane prepares to land in Lagos with hundreds of Nigerians on board, the unfolding crisis is once again drawing attention to the urgent need for stronger protections for African migrants and lasting solutions to xenophobia.
