Govt to evacuate more stranded Nigerians from South Africa

The Federal Government has concluded an arrangement to evacuate another batch of over 200 stranded Nigerians from South Africa.

The Nation learnt that the evacuation would be carried out this week.

As the nation receives the Nigerians, Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has praised Air Peace for helping to convey stranded Nigerians from South Africa.

Also, former presidential aide, Mr. Reno Omokri, has urged the media to avoid using inflammatory language in reporting the ongoing xenophobic actions against Nigerians and other non-indigenes in South Africa.

Reacting to the latest developments in South Africa, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed the planned evacuation, but he could not confirm the actual date at the time of filing this story.

The President of Nigerian Citizens in South Africa, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, who confirmed the current situation in South Africa, also corroborated the report of another evacuation.

Onyekwelu announcd that another flight had been scheduled for today, with over 200 people set for evacuation.

He said: “So far, we have not received any report of our national being attacked. However, there has been some looting of shops across the country.

“Even as at 8 p.m. last night (Tuesday), we got confirmation that the locals were breaking into foreign nationals’ shops and their supermarkets, looting the goods. Even one citizen, one local, was shot, and I think he died. He was killed in the process, but it has not been confirmed where the shot came from…

People are opening their businesses today. People are going to their shops today. We’re monitoring the whole situation.

“Another good news is that we’ve just confirmed that another flight is coming from Nigeria, arriving tomorrow to take, evacuate another batch of 271 of our people back to Nigeria. So, that’s another good news.”

Also, life is gradually returning to normal in South Africa after the Tuesday March-March protests by indigenes who disrupted activities across the country.

Many businesses, shops and malls were shut during the action.

In the course of the ruckus, the protesters attacked and looted many shops and supermarkets.

Many of the identified businesses, shops, and supermarkets the protesters attacked belong to foreigners.

Thre have not been verified reports of attacks on businesses belonging to Nigerians.

Also, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described the efforts of Air Peace as an extraordinary demonstration of patriotism, compassion, and unwavering commitment to national service.

The senator was reacting to the airline’s successful humanitarian evacuation of stranded Nigerians from South Africa.

Air Peace on Tuesday announced the successful completion of its second humanitarian evacuation mission from South Africa, safely returning 271 Nigerians aboard its Boeing 777-200 aircraft in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The latest operation brings the total number of Nigerians evacuated by the airline to 533 in two separate missions, further strengthening its reputation as one of Africa’s leading carriers in humanitarian interventions.

The airline said the latest operation marked its 16th humanitarian and evacuation mission, underscoring its longstanding commitment to supporting Nigerians and responding to national emergencies whenever called upon.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Akpoti-Uduaghan applauded the management and staff of Air Peace for consistently placing national interest above commercial considerations.

“I extend my heartfelt commendation to the Chairman, management, and entire staff of Air Peace for once again demonstrating that corporate leadership is measured not only by profitability but also by compassion, patriotism, and an unwavering commitment to humanity,” she said.

The Kogi Central senator described the successful evacuation as a testament to the airline’s enduring belief that no Nigerian should be abandoned in moments of distress.

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“The safe return of 533 of our compatriots from South Africa is a remarkable humanitarian achievement. It reflects the values of solidarity, responsibility, and love of country that every institution should aspire to uphold,” she said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan further praised the collaboration between Air Peace and the Federal Government, noting that such partnerships strengthen public confidence and reinforce Nigeria’s capacity to respond effectively to humanitarian challenges.

She said: “This partnership serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when government and responsible private institutions work together in the national interest. Air Peace has once again proven that it is not merely an airline but a dependable national partner.”

The Kogi Central senator urged other corporate organisations to emulate the airline’s commitment to national development and humanitarian service.

She said: “At a time when many citizens face uncertainties across different parts of the world, acts of kindness and patriotism such as this restore hope and reaffirm our shared humanity. I encourage other corporate organisations to emulate this exemplary spirit of service.”

The lawmaker also congratulated the evacuated Nigerians on their safe return and wished them success as they reunite with their families and rebuild ther lives.

“On behalf of the good people of Kogi Central Senatorial District, I welcome our brothers and sisters home and pray that this new chapter brings renewed hope, peace, and greater opportunities for every one of them,” she said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her confidence in Air Peace’s continued role as a symbol of Nigerian excellence and corporate patriotism.

“Air Peace has once again written its name in gold. The airline’s consistent record of humanitarian interventions continues to inspire confidence and reminds us all that true greatness lies in serving humanity. Nigeria is proud of this remarkable contribution, and history will remember these acts of selfless patriotism,” she said.

Air Peace has earned widespread recognition over the years for undertaking numerous humanitarian and emergency evacuation operations, providing critical assistance to Nigerians caught in conflict zones and other crisis situations around the world.

The airline’s latest mission further reinforces its reputation as a dependable national asset and a leading example of corporate citizenship in Nigeria.

Also, Omokri has urged media organisations to exercise restraint and responsibility in their coverage of tensions involving Nigerians in South Africa.

He warned that inflammatory statements could worsen relations between both countries.

In a statement he shared yesterday on X, Omokri criticised remarks allegedly portraying South Africans as “lazy” and unwilling to work, describing such comments as false and unfair generalisations capable of damaging diplomatic and people-to-people relations between two African nations.

According to him, Nigerian media should avoid amplifying divisive rhetoric, noting that Africa remains the cornerstone of Nigeria’s foreign policy and that reconciliation would ultimately be necessary regardless of current disagreements.

“Such soundbites will be played in South Africa and will make a bad situation even worse,” he said.

Omokri described xenophobic rhetoric and actions by some South Africans as regrettable and urged the South African government to address the issue.

He argued that discussions surrounding the planned repatriation of some Nigerians for their safety should be handled primarily through diplomatic channels between both governments.

The popular influencer urged the media to support efforts aimed at resolving the situation by promoting fact-based reporting rather than coverage driven by emotions or public hysteria.

The former presidential aide further condemned xenophobia in all forms, including ethnic prejudice and tribal discrimination within Nigeria, stressing that migrants and residents in foreign countries have a responsibility to respect the culture, traditions and sensibilities of their host communities.

Omokri argued that people who relocate to other countries or regions should seek to integrate into their new environments while maintaining their identity, rather than expecting host communities to adjust entirely to them.

He warned that negative stereotypes, insensitive remarks and perceived disrespect for local cultures could fuel resentment and strain relationships between migrants and host populations.