Air Peace Repatriates 262 Nigerians from South Africa as Xenophobic Tensions Escalate
In a significant humanitarian operation that highlights the growing intersection between aviation, diplomacy and citizen welfare across the African continent, Air Peace Limited has successfully evacuated 262 Nigerian nationals from South Africa. The operation, carried out in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, became necessary following a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in various parts of South Africa.
The special evacuation flight departed from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at 10:25 a.m. on Thursday. Air Peace deployed its Boeing 777 aircraft for the mission, underlining the airline's capacity to mobilise wide-body equipment at short notice for large-scale humanitarian operations. After landing, the aircraft was directed to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Cargo Terminal, where government officials and agency representatives received the returnees.
Among the dignitaries present were the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and Air Peace Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Nowel Ngala. Speaking after the arrival, Enikanolaiye praised Air Peace for its swift response and described the mission as a clear demonstration of Nigeria's commitment to protecting its citizens abroad. He linked the intervention to President Bola Tinubu's citizen-centred foreign policy, which seeks to ensure no Nigerian is left exposed during a crisis overseas.
For travel professionals across sub-Saharan Africa, this development raises important questions about the evolving role of African carriers in regional crisis response. Dabiri-Erewa expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for facilitating the operation and acknowledged the smooth coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, the Nigerian Mission in South Africa and Air Peace. She reassured Nigerians living overseas that their safety and dignity remain a top national priority.
Speaking on behalf of the carrier, Ngala described the events that triggered the evacuation as deeply troubling, while reaffirming the airline's dedication to humanitarian service. He noted that the operation aligns with the long-standing vision of Air Peace Chairman, Dr. Allen Onyema, who has consistently positioned the airline as a partner in national service and humanitarian intervention. Ngala further confirmed that talks were ongoing about additional rescue flights, with the airline ready to support the government should the situation in South Africa deteriorate further.
Reports indicate that more than 1,000 Nigerians are still awaiting evacuation, with a second batch of returnees expected on June 15. The Acting High Commissioner in Pretoria, Ambassador Temitope Ajayi, confirmed that Air Peace has made five flights available to bring stranded Nigerians home, signalling a sustained airlift operation in the days ahead.
For the returnees, the journey home brings closure to a frightening chapter. Many spoke of relief at finally arriving safely, away from the violence that has unsettled migrant communities in South Africa. The evacuation also adds another chapter to Air Peace's growing humanitarian record. The airline previously assisted stranded Nigerians during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019 South African xenophobic crisis, the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict, the 2023 Sudan emergency, and most recently the 2025 rescue of trafficked Nigerian girls from Abidjan.
This latest mission reinforces a broader trend that African travel industry stakeholders should watch closely: the growing partnership between governments and private aviation firms in managing cross-border crises. As migration patterns, political tensions and safety concerns shape the continent's travel landscape, carriers willing to step beyond commercial operations are likely to play a defining role in shaping Africa's travel future over the coming years.
