The first group of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa due to renewed xenophobic attacks has landed at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos. The returnees arrived at approximately 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026, aboard an Air Peace flight.
Over 200 Nigerians Return Home
According to reports, more than 200 evacuated Nigerians, including women and children, three government officials, and Air Peace crew members, departed Johannesburg for Lagos. Security agencies, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and FAAN officials were present at the airport to carry out documentation and profiling procedures for the returnees.
Government Officials Welcome Returnees
Senior government officials, including the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the Commissioner for Migrants and Refugees, received the evacuees. They assured the returnees of full support and reintegration assistance as they begin rebuilding their lives in Nigeria.
The atmosphere at the airport was mixed. Some returnees expressed joy at reuniting with their families and escaping the difficult situation abroad, while others appeared anxious about the uncertainties ahead.
Next Evacuation Flights Scheduled
The federal government has scheduled additional evacuation flights for June 15, 18, 22, and 24, 2026. This follows President Bola Tinubu's approval of five evacuation flights, as over 1,000 Nigerians have registered to return home voluntarily.
In response to the xenophobic attacks, Nigeria has considered strong diplomatic and economic measures against South Africa. Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu rejected claims that affected Nigerians were illegal migrants, stating that businesses and families had been specifically targeted.
