Nigeria postpones evacuation flights for nationals fleeing xenophobia in South Africa

Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Ojukwu has announced a change in plans for the evacuation of Nigerian citizens from South Africa, where a recent surge in xenophobic attacks against Blacks has prompted many to seek departure.

n

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa, made this announcement on Monday, revealing that the first batch of returnees will now be airlifted on Wednesday instead of the original Monday schedule.

n

This rescheduling is attributed to unforeseen logistical considerations, according to Ebienfa, who disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has approved five evacuation flights to be operated by Nigeria's private airliner, Air Peace.

n

The first flight, slated to transport approximately 270 passengers, is expected to depart from Johannesburg on the evening of the new scheduled date, once all necessary permits and clearance have been obtained for the aircraft.

n

In addition to the flight rescheduling, the federal government has also extended the screening of its citizens willing to be evacuated from South Africa to Wednesday, as confirmed by Ebienfa.

n

According to Ebienfa, the screening exercise, which has been extended to Wednesday, has already cleared more than 500 persons, with the number expected to rise as the process continues.