FG to Evacuate 742 Nigerians from South Africa Amid Xenophobic Attacks

FG to Evacuate 742 Nigerians from South Africa Amid Xenophobic Attacks

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to evacuate Nigerians stranded in South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks, with 742 citizens scheduled to be airlifted home before June 30, 2026.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed the development on Thursday, assuring that no Nigerian willing to return home due to security concerns would be abandoned.

In a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, the minister said the evacuation exercise was in response to growing reports of attacks and harassment targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.

According to her, about 1,000 Nigerians registered for evacuation from the affected areas, while 258 citizens were successfully evacuated in the first phase of the operation and received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 11.

She explained that the remaining 742 Nigerians would be evacuated in batches before the June 30 deadline, adding that all necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure a smooth and orderly process.

“The Federal Government remains committed to the protection and welfare of Nigerians abroad. No citizen willing to return home will be left behind,” the minister stated.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the evacuation exercise was in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who ordered that Nigerians exposed to danger abroad be promptly assisted and returned home where necessary.

She reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora, stressing that the government would continue to monitor developments in South Africa and provide support to affected citizens.

The evacuation comes amid renewed concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa, which has repeatedly affected foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in recent years.