Renewed attacks: FG evacuates 105 Nigerians from South Africa

By Ochiaka Ugwu

Nigerian Government has evacuated another batch of 105 distressed Nigerian nationals from South Africa following a renewed Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans in the country.

The returnees, comprising 82 adults and 23 children arrived Lagos on South African Airways (SAA) Flight SA060 Thursday.

They were received on arrival by the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies of the Federal Government.

According a statement released by Nigerian Foreign Ministry Saturday in Abuja signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, it noted the return of 100 persons in this batch was funded from the Two Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four US Dollars ($265,854.00) donation made by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) towards the purchase of one-way tickets for the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.

“The return of the remaining five was funded by the generous donation of a private Nigerian citizen. 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.

“This latest arrival constitutes the 13th consular evacuation from South Africa since the commencement of the exercise on 10th June, 2026, bringing the total number of Nigerian nationals evacuated to 1,821. Of this number, the Federal Government fully funded the evacuation of 1388.

“The Federal Government again expresses its profound appreciation to RCCG, under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its generous donation aimed at providing succour to 500 individuals who yearn to return home due to distress and concerns over their safety in South Africa. The Federal Government also appreciates other groups and individuals who have partnered with it in the cause of answering the call of fellow compatriots in distress in South Africa. It reiterates that their gesture demonstrates the impact that collaboration between them and public institutions can have in addressing social challenges and advancing the common good.

“The Federal Government remains deeply concerned about persistent Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa. It remains committed to pursuing diplomatic efforts and other concrete measures to secure the cooperation of the South African authorities in decisively addressing the scourges of Xenophobia and Afrophobia, and ensuring the safety, security and dignity of Nigerians resident in the country.

“The Federal Government once again assures Nigerians in the diaspora that protecting their lives, rights, welfare, and dignity remains a priority, and that it will always deploy appropriate diplomatic and consular measures to assist them whenever circumstances warrant. It urges Nigerians resident in South Africa to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and to maintain contact with the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg for consular assistance whenever required” the statement concluded.