The fourth batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa is expected to arrive in Lagos on Thursday night, bringing the total number of returnees under the Federal Government's evacuation programme to 1,141 since the exercise began on June 11, 2026.

The figure is in addition to 66 Nigerians who were earlier brought home through a private initiative. The evacuation follows anti-foreigner protests in South Africa led by the March and March group, which has been calling for the expulsion of foreign nationals.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the returnees would arrive aboard an Air Peace flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 7:30 p.m., carrying 284 passengers, comprising 282 Nigerian evacuees, including 270 adults and 12 infants, as well as two government officials coordinating the operation.

Ebienfa said the latest evacuation flight was delayed after cracks were discovered in the aircraft's cockpit, making it necessary to deploy a replacement aircraft, adding that the ongoing repatriation exercise reflects the Federal Government's commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad, with Air Peace continuing to support the evacuation operations.