Nigeria Evacuates 271 More Citizens From South Africa

Nigeria is proving that no citizen gets left behind, with another major evacuation flight touching down in Lagos today carrying 271 people safely home from South Africa.

The rescue mission comes as tensions around immigration policy sparked protests across South African cities in recent days. While authorities say the demonstrations target illegal migration generally, foreign nationals from several African countries have been caught in the unrest.

Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the third evacuation flight will land at Murtala Mohammed International Airport at 5:30 a.m. Friday morning. The government has already brought 593 Nigerians home in previous operations since early June.

The first group of 258 evacuees arrived June 11 aboard a special Air Peace flight. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Amb Sola Enikanolaiye personally welcomed them home before relevant agencies helped with documentation and support services.

When logistical delays slowed the second flight, the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria stepped up to temporarily house stranded citizens. A Nigerian philanthropist even paid airfare for 66 people to get home on June 24, while 269 more arrived June 30 on the second government flight.

The Ripple Effect

The ministry tackled false rumors head on, clarifying that every evacuation flight is fully funded by the federal government at zero cost to returnees. Officials firmly dismissed claims that embassy staff demanded payment from people seeking to evacuate, calling such allegations "totally false, fake news."

Three additional flights are scheduled for the coming days to complete the mission. About 700 more Nigerians who registered, were screened and cleared are waiting to come home.

The operation reflects careful coordination between multiple government departments and agencies working together. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that protecting Nigerian citizens overseas remains a central pillar of the country's foreign policy.

"The lives of Nigerians living abroad matter, and we are trying our best as a Ministry to give them a sense of belonging," the ministry stated. The evacuation effort demonstrates the government's determination to ensure citizens affected by crises abroad receive necessary support, dignity and care.

Nearly 1,000 Nigerians will soon be safely home thanks to swift government action and interagency cooperation that turned crisis into care.