The evacuation of the fourth batch of 270 Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa has been delayed following a technical issue affecting the Air Peace aircraft scheduled for the operation.
The returnees, who were expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday, have instead been accommodated in hotels in Johannesburg pending the deployment of a replacement aircraft.
Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, confirmed the development to ARISE News, stating that the passengers would remain in their hotels until another Air Peace aircraft is deployed to complete the evacuation.
According to Ajayi, the new departure time has not yet been determined, as officials continue to make alternative flight arrangements.
He added that further updates would be provided once the replacement aircraft is ready and the evacuation schedule is finalised.
The delayed flight is the fourth evacuation operation organised by the Federal Government to assist Nigerians who opted to return home following renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
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