The Federal Government has intensified efforts to safeguard Nigerians in South Africa, confirming that another evacuation flight will depart on Tuesday as concerns mount over planned anti-immigrant protests expected to begin on June 30.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed on Monday that an Air Peace aircraft departed Nigeria for South Africa and will return on Tuesday morning with another batch of Nigerians who opted for the government’s voluntary evacuation programme.

According to him, the aircraft left Nigeria at 3:00 p.m. on Monday and was scheduled to arrive in South Africa at about 9:00 p.m. local time. The return journey is expected to commence at 12:00 midnight, with the aircraft arriving at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning.

Ebienfa urged Nigerians remaining in South Africa to exercise caution as the protests approach. He advised them to avoid locations where demonstrations are taking place, remain security-conscious and maintain regular contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for updates and emergency assistance.

The latest evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s emergency response approved by President Bola Tinubu following reports of possible xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals. Earlier this month, the government authorised five Air Peace evacuation flights after more than 500 Nigerians registered to return home voluntarily.

Since the exercise began, 328 Nigerians have been successfully evacuated. The first batch of 262 returnees arrived in Lagos on June 11, while another 66 Nigerians were flown back on June 25.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the evacuation programme is being coordinated in partnership with Air Peace and other relevant government agencies to ensure every registered Nigerian willing to return home is safely repatriated.

The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria has repeatedly advised Nigerians to limit unnecessary movement, avoid protest hotspots and remain vigilant as security agencies monitor the situation. The Federal Government also said it continues to engage South African authorities to protect Nigerians who choose to remain in the country while evacuation operations continue. (The Sun)

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