FG Approves Evacuation Flights, Extends Screening of Nigerians Willing to Leave South Africa

The Federal Government has extended the screening exercise for Nigerian citizens willing to be evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks against Black foreigners in the country, moving the deadline to Wednesday.

This was disclosed on Sunday in a statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu has approved five evacuation flights to be operated by Nigeria’s private airline, Air Peace.

He said the first flight, which is expected to airlift about 270 passengers, is scheduled to depart Johannesburg on Monday evening, “if the necessary permits and clearance are secured for the aircraft.”

“I just received confirmation from our Mission in Pretoria that the screening exercise of Nigerian nationals, who have indicated interest to be evacuated back home, has been extended to Wednesday,” he stated.

“So far, over 500 persons have been screened and cleared,” Ebienfa added.

He further noted that the departure time of the flight, as well as its estimated arrival in Lagos, will be communicated in due course, depending on updates from Nigeria’s High Commission in South Africa.