The Federal Government will today resume the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa, with 271 citizens expected to arrive in Lagos on Tuesday as authorities continue efforts to assist those affected by renewed anti-immigrant tensions in the country.

The latest evacuation exercise was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

According to the ministry, an Air Peace aircraft was scheduled to depart Nigeria at 3:00 p.m. on Monday and arrive in South Africa at about 9:00 p.m. local time to airlift the next batch of returnees.

“The return flight is scheduled to depart South Africa at 12:00 midnight and is expected to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning. The expected number is 271,” the statement said.

The exercise is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing voluntary repatriation programme for Nigerians who opted to return home following a resurgence of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant campaigns in parts of South Africa.

The latest batch follows the first evacuation flight earlier this month, which brought about 250 Nigerians back to the country aboard an Air Peace aircraft. Government officials received the returnees in Lagos and assured them of rehabilitation and reintegration support.

Before the evacuation exercise commenced, the Federal Government had approved five Air Peace-operated flights after screening more than 500 Nigerians who initially registered for voluntary return. The screening exercise was later extended to accommodate more applicants as the number of Nigerians seeking evacuation continued to rise.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier disclosed that more than 1,000 Nigerians expressed interest in returning home amid growing fears over their safety as anti-immigrant protests intensified in South Africa.

South Africa has witnessed renewed hostility towards foreign nationals in recent weeks, with anti-immigration groups demanding the removal of undocumented migrants and threatening nationwide protests. The situation has prompted several African countries, including Nigeria, to facilitate the voluntary return of their citizens.