Air Peace Completes Nigerian Evacuation

Air Peace Completes Evacuation of 1,393 Nigerians Stranded in South Africa

LAGOS, Nigeria — In a major humanitarian milestone, Nigerian carrier Air Peace has successfully concluded its emergency evacuation mission from South Africa, safely bringing back a total of 1,393 Nigerian citizens across five coordinated flights.

The final batch of 308 returnees touched down at the Cargo and Hajj Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos at exactly 11:28 a.m. on Wednesday, bringing a sigh of relief to families and government officials alike.

Strategic Public-Private Rescue Operation

The voluntary repatriation program was authorized by President Bola Tinubu following intense anti-immigrant protests and rising xenophobic tensions in parts of South Africa. To pull off the high-stakes rescue operation, the Federal Government partnered with Air Peace, which deployed its giant Boeing 777-200 to handle the heavy lift.

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The airlift was a highly coordinated effort overseen by key diplomatic missions:

• The Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria (led by Amb. Alex Ajayi).

• The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg (led by Amb. Nini Okey Uche).

• The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

Warm Reception and Reintegration Promises in Lagos

On hand to receive the final batch of 308 evacuees in Lagos was the Chairman and CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, alongside senior immigration authorities.

Addressing the emotional crowd of returnees—many of whom left behind properties and livelihoods—Dabiri-Erewa expressed deep sympathy for the struggles they endured during the crisis. She assured them of President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to their welfare:

"The Federal Government is fully committed to supporting your reintegration into society. You are back home, and we will do everything possible to help you rebuild."

She also praised the patriotic spirit of Air Peace and its Chairman, Dr. Allen Onyema, for stepping up to foot the massive operational demands of the humanitarian flights.

Air Peace’s Long History of Humanitarian Intervention

For Air Peace, this mission is another addition to an already extensive track record. The airline noted that it has now undertaken more than 20 humanitarian and evacuation missions across Africa and beyond since it began operations.

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In a statement following the final flight's arrival, Air Peace emphasized that the operation demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships during national emergencies:

"Beyond transporting passengers, each evacuation flight carried families back to loved ones, restored hope to those displaced by uncertainty, and reaffirmed the enduring promise that Nigerians can rely on their nation in times of need."

With all 1,393 registered evacuees now safely back on home soil, the focus shifts to state-level and federal reintegration programs designed to help the returnees transition back into Nigerian communities.

Reported by Gossiphome TV.