The Federal Government has confirmed that another batch of Nigerians stranded in South Africa will be evacuated on Tuesday as part of ongoing efforts to protect citizens amid fears of possible xenophobic attacks.
The evacuation follows growing concerns over planned anti-immigrant protests expected to begin on June 30, prompting Nigerian authorities to continue their voluntary repatriation programme for citizens willing to return home.
Speaking on Monday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed that an Air Peace aircraft departed Nigeria on Monday afternoon and was scheduled to arrive in South Africa later that evening to airlift another group of Nigerians.
According to him, the aircraft is expected to leave South Africa shortly after midnight and arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning.
Ebienfa advised Nigerians who choose to remain in South Africa after the planned protests to remain calm, stay security conscious and avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place.
He also urged them to maintain regular communication with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for updates, guidance and emergency assistance.
The latest evacuation forms part of the emergency repatriation programme approved by President Bola Tinubu earlier this month after concerns grew over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa.
The Federal Government had previously approved five Air Peace evacuation flights after more than 500 Nigerians registered to return home voluntarily.
So far, 328 Nigerians have already been evacuated in two separate batches. The first flight, which arrived on June 11, brought back 262 Nigerians, while another 66 returnees landed in Lagos on June 25.
The evacuation exercise is being coordinated by the Federal Government in partnership with Air Peace and other relevant agencies, while Nigerian authorities continue to engage South African officials to ensure the safety of citizens who remain in the country.
The Nigerian High Commission had earlier advised Nigerians to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from protest locations and remain vigilant as security agencies monitor the situation.
