Federal Government gives green light to five repatriation flights for Nigerian nationals stranded in South Africa

The Federal Government has given the green light for five evacuation flights to bring back Nigerians who wish to return from South Africa, where xenophobic tensions have recently escalated.

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Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, revealed this information during a conversation with journalists on Sunday.

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The evacuation effort is a key component of the government's broader strategy to assist Nigerians who want to come back home amidst growing concerns in South Africa.

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According to Ebienfa, the screening process for registered Nigerians has been extended until Wednesday, June 10, 2026, to accommodate more applicants who need to complete their verification.

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So far, over 500 Nigerians have undergone screening and been cleared for evacuation, as announced by Ebienfa.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the five evacuation flights, which will be operated by Air Peace, with the first flight scheduled to depart from Johannesburg on Monday evening.

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This initial flight is expected to transport approximately 270 passengers, pending the issuance of final permits and clearances.

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Ebienfa stated that the screening exercise for Nigerian nationals who want to be evacuated has been extended to Wednesday, June 10, 2026, and that over 500 individuals have been screened and cleared so far.

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The President's approval of the five evacuation flights, to be operated by Air Peace, marks a significant development in the repatriation process, with the first flight set to airlift around 270 passengers from Johannesburg on Monday evening, subject to necessary permits and clearances.

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Details regarding the departure and arrival times will be shared once the Nigerian mission in South Africa grants final approvals.

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Initially, the ministry had planned to conclude the screening exercise on Saturday, but due to the high volume of applicants requiring verification, the timeline was extended.

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Government officials have indicated that the exercise is still ongoing, with more Nigerians continuing to register for voluntary repatriation.