Nigeria Prepares Fourth Evacuation Flight for Citizens Amid South Africa Xenophobia Fears
The Nigerian government has announced a fourth evacuation flight to bring 270 citizens back from South Africa amid ongoing concerns over xenophobic violence.
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The Nigerian government has scheduled a fourth evacuation flight to repatriate 270 citizens from South Africa, amid persistent fears of xenophobic attacks. According to Vanguard News, the flight is expected to arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos by 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
This follows earlier evacuations prompted by a surge in anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa. Naija News reported that another group of stranded Nigerians was set to depart South Africa on Tuesday, confirming the ongoing nature of the repatriation effort. The flight scheduled for Wednesday marks the fourth such operation conducted by the Federal Government in response to the situation.
The decision underscores growing concerns for the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa, where periodic outbreaks of xenophobia have led to violence against foreign nationals in recent years. While neither Vanguard News nor Naija News provided official statements from government officials, the coordinated airlift operations reflect a structured response to protect citizens abroad.
As the flight nears arrival, authorities have not indicated whether further evacuations will follow, though the continuation of such operations suggests sustained unease among Nigerian expatriates in South Africa.