The latest evacuation flight, operated by Air Peace, departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 6:30 a.m. South African time on Tuesday and landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 11:30 a.m., according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The statement, signed by the ministry's spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the aircraft carried 308 passengers, comprising 305 Nigerian returnees and three government officials who coordinated and supervised the evacuation exercise.
According to the ministry, the latest operation was part of the Federal Government's sustained response to xenophobic attacks and related security challenges affecting foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in South Africa.
It noted that the evacuation followed continuous diplomatic engagement with the South African government and was executed through a partnership involving Air Peace Limited and South African Airways.
The ministry said the five-phase operation has now successfully evacuated 1,490 Nigerians through a series of humanitarian flights.
A breakdown of the figures showed that 258 Nigerians returned aboard the first Air Peace flight on June 10, while 66 others were evacuated on a South African Airways flight on June 24. Another 272 Nigerians returned on the second Air Peace flight on June 30, followed by 268 on the third flight on July 2 and 282 on the fourth flight on July 9. South African Airways evacuated an additional 39 Nigerians on July 11, while the latest Air Peace flight on July 15 brought home 305 returnees.
The ministry said the exercise demonstrates the Tinubu administration's commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Nigerians abroad under its Citizens' Diplomacy policy.
The evacuation was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Consulate-General in Johannesburg, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Port Health Services and other relevant agencies.
The statement read, "The evacuation exercise underscores Nigeria's enduring commitment to Citizens' Diplomacy, which places the protection, welfare and dignity of Nigerians abroad at the centre of the country's foreign policy.
"The government remains resolute in ensuring that every Nigerian, irrespective of location, receives the necessary consular support and protection whenever circumstances demand."
The Federal Government also expressed appreciation to Air Peace Limited for its continued support throughout the evacuation programme.
While reaffirming Nigeria's longstanding diplomatic ties with South Africa, the government maintained that xenophobia, racial intolerance and violence against foreign nationals remain unacceptable. It pledged to continue engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians and other residents.
The ministry also advised Nigerians living abroad to remain law-abiding, register with the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission and maintain regular contact with embassy officials to facilitate timely consular assistance whenever necessary.
It further welcomed the returnees and assured them of the Federal Government's continued support to aid their reintegration into society.