Third evacuation flight brings 271 Nigerians to Lagos

A third group of Nigerian citizens has been evacuated from South Africa, arriving in Lagos on Tuesday morning amid heightened fears of anti-immigrant violence. An Air Peace flight carrying 271 evacuees landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport shortly before 11 a.m., according to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The evacuation is part of a voluntary repatriation program approved by President Bola Tinubu earlier this month, following renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks and planned protests in South Africa. Anti-immigrant groups in the country have set a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave, threatening widespread demonstrations and a national shutdown.

Despite the ongoing airlift, hundreds of Nigerians remain stranded in South Africa. On Monday, dozens sought refuge at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, fearing potential violence linked to the planned protests. Many who gathered at the embassy were not on the scheduled flight list and expressed uncertainty about their safety. One individual at the embassy said they had fled their homes due to fear, describing the mission as a place of safety. Officials gave priority to women and children...