Nigeria sends fourth evacuation flight to Johannesburg amid xenophobia
Nigeria's Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu announced that another evacuation flight will leave for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, to bring home Nigerians amid a renewed wave of xenophobic attacks. Three batches of citizens have already returned since the evacuation began last month, and a fourth flight arrived in Nigeria on July 3 after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended the operation past the June 30 deadline. The minister also condemned the killing of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, and urged South African authorities to investigate the deaths.
She warned that the situation is not improving, noting that more than 35,000 people have been repatriated or deported from South Africa since June 7 as anti-immigrant groups demand that undocumented migrants leave, blaming them for unemployment and poor services. The ongoing protests and attacks put Nigerians' lives, property and investments at risk, forcing many to weigh whether to stay or return home.
The government advises Nigerians in South Africa who feel their lives are in danger to take advantage of the FG-sponsored evacuation flights. The next flight departs Nigeria for Johannesburg on July 7, with the final evacuation flight expected to reach South Africa by July 10. Lives cannot be replaced, so those considering staying should weigh the risks carefully. Will you take the evacuation flight if you feel unsafe, or try to stay despite the risks?