By Blessing Bature
The Federal Government has announced that another group of Nigerians will be evacuated from South Africa on Tuesday as part of measures to safeguard citizens ahead of planned anti-immigrant protests expected to commence on June 30.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an Air Peace aircraft departed Nigeria on Monday to airlift Nigerians who voluntarily registered to return home under the government’s evacuation programme.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the operation reflects the government’s determination to protect Nigerians in South Africa amid concerns over possible xenophobic violence.
He disclosed that the Air Peace flight departed Nigeria at 3:00 p.m. on Monday and was expected to arrive in South Africa around 9:00 p.m. local time. The return flight is scheduled to leave South Africa at midnight and arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning.
Ebienfa also advised Nigerians choosing to remain in South Africa during the planned demonstrations to remain vigilant, avoid areas where protests are taking place, and stay in regular contact with officials at the Nigerian High Commission for security updates and assistance.
The latest evacuation exercise follows an emergency intervention approved by President Bola Tinubu after intelligence reports indicated that foreign nationals could be targeted during the planned protests.
Earlier this month, the Federal Government approved five Air Peace evacuation flights after more than 500 Nigerians indicated their willingness to return home.
Before Tuesday’s operation, a total of 328 Nigerians had already been evacuated in two phases. The first batch of 262 returnees arrived in Lagos on June 11, while another 66 Nigerians were brought back on June 25.
