The first Batch of 258 Nigerians stranded in South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals have been safely evacuated and returned home through a joint intervention by Air Peace Limited and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The special evacuation operation, carried out on Thursday, June 11, 2026, marked another humanitarian mission by the country’s leading airline,and underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad.
The rescue flight departed Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport aboard Air Peace’s Boeing 777 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BVE, and arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at exactly 10:25 a.m.
Following its arrival, the aircraft taxied to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Cargo Terminal, where scenes of emotion and relief played out as the returnees stepped onto Nigerian soil after escaping the violence that had engulfed parts of South Africa.
The reception ceremony attracted several top government officials, including the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye; the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa; the Chief Commercial Officer of Air Peace, Mr Nowel Ngala; as well as representatives of relevant agencies.
Speaking shortly after receiving the evacuees, Ambassador Enikanolaiye described the operation as a clear demonstration of the President Bola Tinubu administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens regardless of their location.
He said the swift evacuation reflected the citizen-focused foreign policy of the Federal Government and reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve not to abandon its citizens during periods of distress.
According to the minister, the rescue mission highlighted the importance attached by the administration to the safety and welfare of Nigerians around the world.
“The government remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians facing difficulties overseas receive the necessary support and assistance,” he stated.
In her remarks, Dr Dabiri-Erewa lauded President Tinubu and the Federal Government for acting promptly to facilitate the return of the affected citizens.
She described the evacuation as further evidence of an administration that places premium importance on the dignity and wellbeing of Nigerians in the diaspora.
The NiDCOM chairman also commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Mission in South Africa and Air Peace for their collective efforts in ensuring the success of the operation.
She assured Nigerians residing outside the country that their interests and welfare would continue to receive the attention of the government.
Representing Air Peace, the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Nowel Ngala, expressed sadness over the circumstances that led to the emergency operation, describing the attacks as disturbing and regrettable.
He reiterated the airline’s commitment to humanitarian service and said the evacuation was in keeping with the philosophy of Air Peace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, CON, whose leadership has consistently prioritised patriotism, compassion and national service above commercial interests.
Ngala said Air Peace remained willing to support the Federal Government in protecting Nigerians wherever they might be and disclosed that plans for additional evacuation flights were being considered should circumstances require further intervention.
He also commended President Tinubu and relevant authorities for the prompt coordination that ensured the safe return of the affected Nigerians.
For the 258 returnees, the journey home represented much more than a physical relocation. It marked the end of a traumatic experience and the beginning of a new chapter after surviving a period of uncertainty and fear.
Long Record of Humanitarian Missions
The latest rescue operation has once again brought into focus Air Peace’s growing reputation as Nigeria’s foremost humanitarian airline.
Over the years, the carrier has repeatedly stepped in during national and international emergencies to assist distressed Nigerians.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline undertook several repatriation flights to return stranded citizens from various countries.
In 2019, Air Peace made international headlines after deploying aircraft to evacuate Nigerians caught up in xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Three years later, in 2022, the airline mounted emergency operations to rescue Nigerians fleeing the Russia-Ukraine war.
In 2023, Air Peace again partnered with the Federal Government to evacuate Nigerians trapped by the conflict in Sudan, while in 2025 it facilitated the return of Nigerian girls rescued from human traffickers in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The latest operation from South Africa has further strengthened the airline’s reputation for placing humanitarian service at the heart of its operations.
Observers say the successful evacuation also illustrates the impact that can be achieved when government institutions and private enterprises work together in pursuit of a common cause.
As the 262 Nigerians reunited with loved ones and began rebuilding their lives, Thursday’s homecoming served as a powerful reminder that even in moments of crisis, national solidarity and collective action can provide hope and reassurance to citizens far from home.
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