Xenophobia: Another Batch Of Nigerians Set to Leave South Africa As FG Speaks

The Federal Government has announced that another group of Nigerians stranded in South Africa will be evacuated on Tuesday as fresh xenophobic attacks continue to pose serious risks to the safety of foreign nationals.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed the development in a statement shared on her official X account on Monday, saying the evacuation is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to assist Nigerians who wish to return home.

“Another evacuation flight will leave for Johannesburg tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7, to bring home our citizens,” the minister stated.

The latest operation forms part of the Federal Government’s repatriation programme launched in response to the renewed wave of anti-immigrant violence in South Africa.

According to the minister, three batches of Nigerians have already been successfully evacuated since the exercise commenced last month, while the final evacuation flight under the current arrangement is scheduled to depart South Africa on July 10.

She urged Nigerians still residing in the country to carefully assess their security situation and consider taking advantage of the evacuation programme if they feel threatened.

“Our nationals are again advised to weigh the risks regarding whether to remain or return,” she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that President Bola Tinubu approved an extension of the evacuation exercise beyond the initial June 30 deadline to enable more Nigerians to return safely.

She noted that after three earlier evacuation operations, a fourth flight arrived in Nigeria on July 3, 2026, and encouraged those yet to register to make full use of the available flights.

“Our citizens are strongly advised to take advantage of this extension and utilise the full capacity of the aircraft,” she added.

The minister stressed that while damaged businesses and properties could be rebuilt, lives lost could never be replaced.

“For many still sitting on the fence, they should do well to note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but not lives lost,” the statement said.

She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and welfare of Nigerians living abroad.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad and will put all necessary measures in place to protect them.”

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also condemned the killing of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, during the latest xenophobic attacks, calling on South African authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

“There are no signs that the situation is improving,” she said, expressing concern over the continued attacks on Nigerians and other migrants in South Africa.

The renewed anti-immigrant campaign has prompted several African countries to begin evacuating their citizens after some groups demanded that undocumented migrants leave South Africa by June 30.

The campaign has sparked violent protests and clashes in several communities, with reports of multiple deaths among foreign nationals.

According to the South African Border Management Authority, more than 35,000 people have been repatriated or deported since June 7.

The groups behind the campaign have blamed illegal immigration for unemployment and poor public services, although analysts argue that the country’s economic and social challenges are largely linked to governance and structural issues.

On Sunday, the Nigerian Government warned that it could consider diplomatic measures against South Africa if attacks on Nigerians and their businesses persist, stressing that “all options are on the table” should the violence continue unabated.