Xenophobia: Fourth evacuation flight due Wednesday

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File image of some returnees.

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By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

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The Federal Government has announced that the fourth evacuation flight conveying 270 Nigerians from South Africa is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

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The development was disclosed in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Tuesday.

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According to the ministry, the Air Peace aircraft deployed for the evacuation exercise is expected to depart Johannesburg for Lagos with 270 returnees at 12:00 midnight.

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The aircraft is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, all things being equal.

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The statement in full, “In continuation of the ongoing evacuation of our nationals from South Africa, AirPeace aircraft deployed for the process is expected depart Johannesburg for Lagos with 270 returnees at 12.00 midnight and the estimated time of arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos is 5.00am on Wednesday, 8 July, 2026 all things being equal.”

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The latest evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to bring home Nigerians willing to return from South Africa following recent concerns over their safety. It is the fourth evacuation flight under the exercise.

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