In an update issued on Thursday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, announced that the evacuation aircraft departed Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 2:50pm South African time on July 9, 2026.
The Nigerian government has dispatched the fourth evacuation flight to bring home Nigerians fleeing the ongoing xenophobic protests and attacks in South Africa, reaffirming its commitment to protecting citizens affected by the unrest.
In an update issued on Thursday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, announced that the evacuation aircraft departed Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 2:50pm South African time on July 9, 2026.
According to the minister, the flight is conveying 287 Nigerian nationals, made up of 272 adults and 12 infants, in addition to airline crew members and Nigerian government officials accompanying the operation.
She disclosed that the evacuation experienced a temporary setback after the Air Peace aircraft originally scheduled for the mission developed a technical problem.
