Nigeria Evacuates 1,490 Citizens from South Africa Amid Xenophobia Concerns

The Federal Government has completed the fifth phase of its emergency evacuation programme for Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks and rising security concerns in South Africa, bringing home another 305 citizens.

The latest Air Peace flight departed Johannesburg on Wednesday and arrived in Lagos with the returnees, increasing the total number of Nigerians evacuated since June to 1,490.

The evacuation follows renewed concerns over the safety of African migrants in South Africa, where recurring xenophobic attacks have continued to threaten foreign nationals despite strong diplomatic and economic relations between both countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the operation was coordinated through a multi agency collaboration involving Nigeria’s missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant government agencies.

According to the ministry, sustained diplomatic engagement with South African authorities helped facilitate the evacuation, while Air Peace and South African Airways provided transportation support throughout the exercise.

The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad and condemned all forms of xenophobia and racial intolerance.

It noted that the recurring evacuations underscore the need for stronger regional cooperation to address the challenges facing migrants and to promote the ideals of African unity, free movement and peaceful coexistence.