The Federal Government says it has evacuated 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa through a series of humanitarian flights following ongoing xenophobic attacks and related security concerns.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, following the completion of the fifth phase of the voluntary evacuation programme.

Ebienfa said the fifth evacuation flight, operated by Air Peace, departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 6:30 a.m. South African time on Wednesday and arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at 11:30 a.m.

He said the aircraft conveyed 308 passengers, comprising 305 returnees and three Nigerian government officials who coordinated and supervised the evacuation.

“The Federal Government has now evacuated a total of 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa through a series of coordinated humanitarian flights undertaken in partnership with Air Peace Limited and South African Airways,” he said.

Ebienfa explained that the evacuation followed sustained diplomatic engagement with the South African government in response to security concerns arising from xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians abroad in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, the evacuation programme began on 10 June, when Air Peace evacuated 258 Nigerians, followed by South African Airways, which airlifted 66 returnees on 24 June.

He said Air Peace subsequently evacuated 272 Nigerians on 30 June, 268 on 2 July, 282 on 9 July, and 305 on 15 July, while South African Airways returned another 39 Nigerians on 11 July.

Ebienfa said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated the operation in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Port Health Services, and other relevant agencies.

He commended Air Peace for its support throughout the exercise, describing the airline’s role as patriotic and instrumental to its success.

According to him, the operation reflects Nigeria’s citizens’ diplomacy policy, which prioritises the protection, welfare, and dignity of Nigerians abroad.

Ebienfa added that the government would continue to engage South Africa through diplomatic channels to promote the safety and peaceful coexistence of all residents, while maintaining that xenophobia, racial intolerance, and violence against foreign nationals remain unacceptable.

He also urged Nigerians living abroad to obey the laws of their host countries, register with the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission, and maintain regular contact with the missions to facilitate timely consular assistance whenever required.