July 10 (THEWILL) — Air Peace has completed the fourth phase of the Federal Government’s humanitarian evacuation programme for Nigerians affected by renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa, airlifting another 284 citizens back to the country and raising the total number of returnees evacuated by the airline to 1,085.
THEWILL reports that the latest evacuation flight, operated on Thursday with Air Peace’s Boeing 777-200 wide-body aircraft, was undertaken in collaboration with the Federal Government as part of ongoing efforts to provide safe passage for Nigerians who chose to return home following renewed attacks and growing insecurity in parts of South Africa.
The latest operation follows three earlier evacuation flights conducted by the airline on June 11, June 30, and July 3, during which 262, 271, and 268 Nigerians, respectively, were successfully repatriated. With Thursday’s airlift of 284 passengers, Air Peace has now evacuated a total of 1,085 Nigerians under the current humanitarian programme.
In a statement made available to THEWILL, the airline said the successful completion of the fourth evacuation mission underscores its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s emergency response initiatives and protecting the welfare of Nigerian citizens in times of crisis.
According to the airline, the humanitarian airlift is a demonstration of its readiness to deploy its fleet and operational resources whenever national interest demands, describing the operation as an extension of its long-standing commitment to corporate social responsibility and humanitarian service.
“With the successful completion of today’s mission, Air Peace has now safely repatriated 1,085 Nigerians across four humanitarian evacuation flights, having previously evacuated 262 Nigerians on June 11, 271 on June 30, 268 on July 3, and 284 on July 9,” the airline stated.
THEWILL reports that the latest evacuation was carried out using the airline’s Boeing 777-200 aircraft, one of the largest commercial aircraft in its fleet, enabling the carrier to transport hundreds of passengers on the long-haul Johannesburg-Lagos route in a single operation.
Air Peace said the exercise goes beyond a routine evacuation, noting that it reflects the airline’s humanitarian philosophy founded on compassion, patriotism, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that Nigerians stranded abroad can always count on a safe journey home during emergencies.
The airline maintained that, regardless of commercial considerations, it remains prepared to partner with government institutions whenever required to provide emergency air transportation for Nigerians facing difficult circumstances in any part of the world.
THEWILL further reports that Air Peace has established a strong record of participating in humanitarian and national emergency operations since it commenced commercial services.
According to the airline, it has undertaken more than 16 evacuation and relief missions across Africa and beyond, deploying its aircraft in support of emergency repatriations, humanitarian crises, conflict situations, and other national interventions.
Those interventions have included evacuation flights during periods of civil unrest, conflict, and public emergencies, reinforcing the airline’s position as a strategic partner to the Federal Government in responding to crises involving Nigerian citizens overseas.
The airline reiterated that its mission extends beyond transporting passengers between destinations, saying it remains committed to restoring hope, reuniting families, and providing critical support whenever Nigerians require assistance to return home safely.
THEWILL recalls that the Federal Government commenced the phased evacuation exercise after renewed xenophobic attacks and threats against foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in parts of South Africa prompted many citizens to seek voluntary repatriation.
Successive evacuation exercises have been coordinated through relevant government agencies in partnership with Air Peace, which has provided the aircraft and operational logistics for the humanitarian missions.
The continued evacuation of affected Nigerians comes amid sustained diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and South Africa over the safety and protection of foreign nationals.
Successive Nigerian governments have repeatedly condemned xenophobic violence and urged South African authorities to bring perpetrators to justice while ensuring adequate protection for all law-abiding residents irrespective of nationality.
For many of the returnees, the humanitarian flights have provided an opportunity to reunite with their families after weeks of uncertainty, while underscoring the importance of coordinated government-private sector collaboration in responding to emergencies affecting Nigerians in the diaspora.
With the completion of the fourth evacuation phase, Air Peace said it remains on standby to provide additional support should the Federal Government require further humanitarian airlift operations as efforts continue to safeguard the welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
