In a swift humanitarian response to rising xenophobic violence in South Africa, Air Peace Limited, in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, has successfully evacuated 262 stranded Nigerians back home.
The special evacuation flight, carried out on Thursday, June 11, 2026, departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg aboard Air Peace’s Boeing 777 aircraft and arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 10:25 a.m.
Emotional scenes unfolded at the FAAN Cargo Terminal as the returnees, many visibly relieved, reunited with their homeland after fleeing attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.
Top government officials and aviation stakeholders were on ground to receive the evacuees, including the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye; Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and Air Peace Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Nowel Ngala.
Speaking after the arrival, Enikanolaiye praised Air Peace for its prompt intervention, noting that the evacuation reflects the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He emphasised that the operation underscores Nigeria’s citizen-focused foreign policy and determination to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in times of crisis.
Also addressing journalists, Dabiri-Erewa described the evacuation as a strong demonstration of national responsibility, commending the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, and Air Peace.
She reassured Nigerians in the diaspora that their safety and dignity remain a top priority for the government.
On his part, Ngala, described the situation that led to the evacuation as deeply troubling, reaffirming the airline’s long-standing commitment to humanitarian service.
He noted that the mission aligns with the vision of Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema, whose leadership has consistently prioritised national interest and compassion over profit.
Ngala further disclosed that the airline remains on standby for additional evacuation operations if required, commending the Federal Government for its swift coordination of the rescue effort.
For the evacuees, the journey home symbolised more than a return – it marked renewed hope, safety, and the reassurance of a nation that stands by its citizens in difficult times.
This latest mission added to Air Peace’s growing record of humanitarian interventions. From COVID-19 evacuation flights to rescue operations during the 2019 xenophobic attacks in South Africa, the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, the Sudan crisis in 2023, and the evacuation of trafficked Nigerians from Côte d’Ivoire in 2025, the airline has consistently played a frontline role in national emergencies.
With this operation, Air Peace and the Federal Government have once again demonstrated the power of public-private collaboration in safeguarding Nigerian lives – reinforcing a legacy that goes beyond aviation to one rooted in service, solidarity, and national pride.