Xenophobia: 105 Nigerians return home from South Africa

The Federal Government has evacuated another 105 Nigerians from South Africa, bringing the number of nationals repatriated from the country since June to 1,821.

The latest returnees, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 at about 8:30pm on Thursday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi.

The ministry said the latest exercise was the 13th consular evacuation from South Africa since the repatriation programme began on June 10, 2026.

It said 1,388 of the 1,821 Nigerians evacuated so far were repatriated with full funding from the Federal Government.

According to the ministry, the evacuation of 100 of the latest returnees was funded from a $265,854 donation by the Redeemed Christian Church of God for the purchase of one-way tickets for 500 distressed Nigerians in South Africa.

The remaining five returnees were evacuated through a donation from a private Nigerian citizen.

The returnees were received in Lagos by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, National Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies.

The ministry said discussions were ongoing with the RCCG leadership in South Africa, other philanthropic organisations and individuals to facilitate the return of additional Nigerians undergoing clearance with the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities.

“Nigeria’s diplomatic mission continues to engage with the leadership of the RCCG in South Africa and other philanthropic groups and individuals, as some other distressed Nigerians are currently undergoing preliminary clearance with our Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities. They will be evacuated as soon as the process is finalized,” the statement said.

The Federal Government also expressed concern over what it described as persistent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

“The Federal Government remains deeply concerned about persistent Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa,” the ministry said.

It said Nigeria would continue diplomatic engagements with South African authorities to address the attacks and promote the safety, security and dignity of Nigerians living in the country.

The government also assured Nigerians in the diaspora that the protection of their lives, rights and welfare remained a priority and that consular assistance would be provided when necessary.

It urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain vigilant, obey local laws and maintain contact with the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg whenever they require assistance.

The ministry thanked the RCCG, led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, as well as other organisations and individuals supporting the evacuation of distressed Nigerians.