66 More Nigerians Evacuated From South Africa Arrive Lagos as Repatriation Total Hits 324

The Federal Government has evacuated another 66 Nigerians from South Africa, bringing the total number of citizens repatriated under the ongoing emergency evacuation programme to 324 amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The latest batch of returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, at about 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday, marking the second phase of the Federal Government’s evacuation exercise for Nigerians willing to return home.

The development follows the successful evacuation of 258 Nigerians on June 11, 2026, aboard a chartered Air Peace flight after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the repatriation of affected citizens.

Confirming the arrival of the second batch, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the evacuation formed part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of Nigerians facing challenges in South Africa.

The Head of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Lagos Office, Dipo Onabowale, disclosed that the flight was facilitated by ValueJet Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kunle Soname, while officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanied the returnees back to Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Onabowale commended President Tinubu for approving the evacuation and ensuring that stranded Nigerians were safely returned home.

He also noted that challenges encountered during the first phase of the evacuation exercise were being addressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to improve subsequent operations.

READ ALSO:

• Army Arrests Suspected Terrorist Supplier, Seizes 150 Combat Boots in Zamfara
• One Dead, 10 Rescued as Three-Storey Building Collapses in Lagos
• Plumptre Debunks Super Falcons Exit Claims, Warns Fans About Scammers

According to him, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to evacuating all registered Nigerians who wish to leave South Africa.

To support the reintegration of the returnees, several assistance packages were announced by government agencies, corporate organisations and private individuals.

NiDCOM revealed that evacuees from Imo State would receive ₦1 million each from Governor Hope Uzodimma to assist with their resettlement and economic recovery.

In addition, MTN Nigeria provided free SIM cards and ₦50,000 worth of data to each returnee, while ₦100,000 was credited into the bank account of every evacuee to help address immediate needs.

Further support came from the Founder of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Pastor Bolaji Idowu, who donated ₦100,000 to each returnee.

Officials said the intervention packages were designed to ease the transition process and provide immediate relief to Nigerians returning after difficult experiences abroad.

Many of the evacuees expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for approving the evacuation and thanked all stakeholders involved in the operation, including Kunle Soname, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa Ambassador Temitope Ajayi, NiDCOM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Some of the returnees described the evacuation as timely, citing growing fears over insecurity, discrimination and economic hardship as reasons for deciding to return to Nigeria.

Government officials reiterated that the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad remain a priority and urged citizens living overseas to maintain regular contact with Nigerian diplomatic missions in their host countries.

Representatives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other security agencies were present at the airport to receive and process the returnees.

The latest evacuation highlights the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to provide assistance to Nigerians affected by security threats, humanitarian challenges and xenophobic violence abroad while facilitating their safe return and reintegration.

66 More Nigerians Evacuated From South Africa Arrive Lagos as Repatriation Total Hits 324

Why We Murdered Former OGTV Staff, Security Guard — Arrested Suspects

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the brutal murder of a former employee of Ogun State Television (OGTV), Ms Olakitan Oyesiku, and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo, following what authorities described as a painstaking investigation involving forensic analysis, intelligence gathering and technical tracking.

The breakthrough was announced on Thursday by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, during a media briefing at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.

According to the police commissioner, the principal suspect, 22-year-old Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip, confessed to masterminding the attack and recruiting two accomplices, Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola, 27, and Sobu Obafunsho, 36, to execute the operation.

Ojajuni disclosed that the tragic incident came to light on June 21, 2026, when officers attached to the Owode-Egba Police Station received a distress report regarding suspicious circumstances at the residence of the deceased.

“Preliminary information indicated that the front door of the residence had been partially damaged, while the security house within the compound was found locked, prompting immediate police intervention,” he said.

Detectives who responded to the scene made a chilling discovery. The lifeless body of the security guard was found inside the security house, while Ms Oyesiku was discovered in a pool of blood within the main building.

Investigators also established that the deceased’s Lexus RX 330 Sports Utility Vehicle had been stolen from the premises, leading detectives to suspect that the attack may have been linked to robbery.

READ ALSO:

• Army Arrests Suspected Terrorist Supplier, Seizes 150 Combat Boots in Zamfara
• One Dead, 10 Rescued as Three-Storey Building Collapses in Lagos
• Plumptre Debunks Super Falcons Exit Claims, Warns Fans About Scammers

The police subsequently launched a comprehensive investigation, deploying intelligence assets, technical tracking tools and forensic experts to identify those responsible and recover the stolen property.

Their efforts paid off the following day when the stolen Lexus SUV was recovered through intelligence-led operations. Although the suspects had removed the vehicle’s ignition key and registration number plates in an apparent attempt to conceal its identity, detectives recovered the original number plate hidden beneath one of the seats, enabling investigators to confirm ownership.

A major breakthrough in the case came through a handwritten note allegedly left behind by the suspects at the crime scene.

“One critical piece of evidence recovered from the scene was a handwritten note apparently left behind by the perpetrators. The note was subjected to forensic examination and analysis, which generated valuable investigative leads that significantly aided detectives in identifying and tracing those responsible for the crime,” Ojajuni revealed.

The forensic evidence, combined with intelligence gathered by detectives, led to the arrest of the principal suspect on June 24 at a construction site in the Ibara Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Abeokuta, where he was working as a labourer.

Subsequent operations resulted in the arrest of the two other suspects, effectively bringing into custody all individuals currently identified as having direct involvement in the double murder.

During interrogation, Philip allegedly confessed to participating in the killings and admitted recruiting the other suspects to carry out the attack.

According to the commissioner, the suspect told investigators that he planned the operation because of grievances he held against the deceased from the period he worked as a security guard under her employment.

“The suspect stated that the murder of Madam Olakitan Oyesiku was intended to ‘teach her a lesson’,” Ojajuni said.

Police investigations indicate that the suspects carried out the attack on June 20, 2026. They allegedly overpowered the security guard, forced their way into the residence and attacked Ms Oyesiku before killing the guard and fleeing with the victim’s vehicle.

Further investigations led detectives to locations linked to the suspects, where several exhibits believed to have been used during the attack were recovered. These include a broken hammer, a cutlass, a wooden plank, a black pen and other items considered crucial to the investigation.

Ojajuni stressed that while the suspects had made useful statements and substantial evidence had been gathered, they remained entitled to fair hearing and due process under Nigerian law.

“The Ogun State Police Command wishes to emphasise that while the suspects have made useful statements and substantial evidence has been recovered in the course of the investigation, all suspects remain entitled to due process under the law,” he said.

The commissioner assured the public that investigators were working to consolidate evidence and ensure diligent prosecution of everyone connected to the crime.

“The Command remains committed to ensuring that justice is served and that all persons connected with this heinous crime are brought to book,” he added.

The gruesome killing of the former OGTV staff member and her security guard has sparked outrage across Ogun State, with residents, media professionals and civil society groups calling for swift prosecution of the suspects and justice for the victims.

The case has also renewed concerns about violent crimes targeting residents in private homes and highlighted the increasing role of forensic science, intelligence gathering and digital tracking in modern criminal investigations.

Police authorities said investigations remain ongoing and have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests should new evidence emerge.

Why We Murdered Former OGTV Staff, Security Guard — Arrested Suspects

One Dead, 10 Rescued as Three-Storey Building Collapses in Lagos

A three-storey building collapsed in the Alakija area of Lagos State on Thursday, leaving one person dead, at least 10 others rescued, and an unspecified number feared trapped beneath the rubble as emergency responders intensified search-and-rescue operations.

The building, located on Old Ojo Road near Alakija Bus Stop, off the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Satellite Town, reportedly collapsed at about 11:40 a.m., causing panic among residents, traders and commuters in the busy commercial area.

Emergency teams from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), security agencies and other responders were immediately deployed to the scene to search for survivors trapped beneath the debris.

Confirming the incident, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency activated its emergency response mechanism shortly after receiving distress alerts regarding the collapse.

“LASEMA has activated its emergency response following the collapse of a three-storey shopping complex at Alakija, Ori-Ade LCDA,” he said.

According to him, a coordinated multi-agency operation is underway, with emergency personnel conducting systematic searches of the wreckage amid fears that additional victims may still be trapped.

“A multi-agency rescue operation is ongoing, with responders working systematically to search for and extricate anyone trapped beneath the rubble,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.

He disclosed that rescue teams had successfully pulled two victims alive from the debris, while the body of an adult male was recovered during the operation.

READ ALSO:

• AI Smartphone App Detects Eye Cancer with Near-Specialist Accuracy, Study Finds
• NAJA Holds 3rd Auto Industry Summit July 30 on Nigeria’s EV, CNG Future
• EFCC to Arraign US-Blacklisted Lagos BDC Operator Over Alleged ISIS Financing

“Two victims have been rescued alive through the joint efforts of LASEMA, LASBCA and CRCC Construction Company,” he said.

“One deceased adult male has been located. Recovery efforts are ongoing.”

The LASEMA boss further revealed that reports from the scene indicated that several shop owners and occupants may have been inside the building when it collapsed.

“There are reports that additional persons, including shop owners who had resumed business, may still be trapped. Search and rescue operations remain active,” he added.

To accelerate rescue efforts, authorities deployed heavy-duty equipment, including excavators, to remove debris and improve access to areas where survivors could still be trapped.

“Heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator, is being deployed to support rescue efforts,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service provided an updated casualty figure, revealing that 10 people had been rescued alive from the collapsed structure.

In a statement, the agency’s Director, Margaret Adeseye, said firefighters received a distress call at 11:37 a.m. and promptly mobilised personnel from the Ijegun-Egba Fire Station, who arrived at the scene within minutes.

According to her, the collapsed structure was occupied at the time of the incident, prompting concerns that more victims could still be buried beneath the rubble.

“As of the time of this report, 10 persons have been rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries and have been handed over to medical personnel for necessary treatment,” Adeseye stated.

She added that emergency responders remained at the scene, combing through the debris in search of additional survivors.

“Search and rescue operations remain ongoing as emergency responders continue efforts to locate, extricate, and evacuate any persons who may still be trapped beneath the debris,” she said.

Witnesses said the collapse triggered panic across the neighbourhood, with residents and traders rushing to the scene to assist before emergency agencies fully took over rescue operations.

Authorities have appealed to members of the public to stay away from the disaster area and allow emergency workers unrestricted access to carry out life-saving operations.

“Members of the public are advised to remain calm, avoid the incident scene, and allow emergency responders unrestricted access to carry out life-saving operations,” Oke-Osanyintolu urged.

As rescue operations continue into the evening, authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the collapse. Structural engineers and relevant regulatory agencies are expected to launch an investigation to establish whether construction defects, structural failure, poor maintenance or other factors contributed to the incident.

The latest tragedy has once again renewed concerns over building safety and compliance with construction regulations in Lagos, a state that has witnessed several fatal building collapses in recent years despite efforts by authorities to strengthen enforcement and monitoring.

One Dead, 10 Rescued as Three-Storey Building Collapses in Lagos