Nigeria to Evacuate Over 1,000 Citizens as Anti-Migrant Violence Spreads in South Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has initiated plans to repatriate more than 1,000 Nigerian citizens from South Africa following a surge in anti-immigrant protests, xenophobic violence, and a looming ultimatum for undocumented foreigners to leave the country. The voluntary repatriation programme, confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, June 5, 2026, began with screening exercises on Thursday, June 4, at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria. An initial batch of approximately 400 individuals is currently being processed, with officials expecting the final figure to exceed 1,000. Foreign Ministry spokesman Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed the development to AFP, stating, “Total figure not out yet. We are expecting over 1,000 persons.” Other sources within the ministry have indicated that between 2,000 and 4,000 Nigerians may ultimately be evacuated under the programme.

The repatriation comes in response to escalating anti-immigrant sentiment and targeted violence across several South African provinces. Citizen-led groups have issued a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country, raising fears of widespread attacks. Recent incidents of violence include anti-migrant mobs chasing foreign nationals and demanding they leave their communities, more than 50 shacks set ablaze during protests in the coastal town of Mossel Bay, and two Mozambican nationals confirmed dead in violence linked to the demonstrations. There are also reports of displaced migrants hiding in bushes and mountainous areas before reaching temporary shelters. One Mozambican migrant, Dolinda Mabunda, described the ordeal to local media: “We were still inside when people started burning down our house. They said we should leave or we’ll get hurt.” Another migrant, Thomas Vincent Baloy, told AFP: “They said ‘you are a foreigner, you don’t belong in South Africa, so you must go’… They just chased us away like dogs. We just stayed in the bush until six in the morning.” The Mozambique government has alleged that five of its citizens were killed “as a direct consequence of xenophobic attacks,” though South African police have not confirmed a motive. The country also reported that 800 of its citizens were victims of the attacks, with 300 returning home on their own and 500 scheduled for repatriation.

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In a communiqué dated Tuesday, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria announced that it had successfully negotiated waivers with South African authorities to ensure that Nigerians with immigration-related offences would be permitted to board repatriation flights rather than face detention. This arrangement is intended to facilitate the smooth and safe return of affected Nigerians without fear of arrest. The voluntary evacuation programme follows a similar intervention by Ghana, which recently completed the repatriation of hundreds of its citizens from South Africa. Mozambique has also evacuated hundreds of its nationals and indicated readiness to bring home more people if necessary.

South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised economy, has long attracted workers from across the region. However, saddled with an unemployment rate exceeding 30 percent, the country has experienced repeated waves of xenophobic unrest — including fresh violence in recent weeks. According to official statistics, more than three million foreigners live in South Africa, representing 5.1 percent of the population. More than 63 percent come from countries in the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc. The latest tensions have revived uncomfortable debates across Africa about xenophobia, migration, and the gap between pan-African rhetoric and the harsh realities facing migrants on the continent.

The South African government has stated it is stepping up enforcement against undocumented immigrants but urged citizens not to take matters into their own hands. Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili cautioned anti-immigration groups against vigilantism, stressing that law enforcement agencies would not tolerate intimidation, unlawful operations, or attacks based on nationality. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni warned that there will be no “shutdown,” stating: “South Africans have the right to protest and to march, as provided for in the Constitution. But South Africans have no right to take the law into their own hands. As we have indicated before, nobody is going to shut down this country.” President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation soon to outline the government’s new plan for managing the migration crisis, according to Ntshavheni. Speaking to parliament on Tuesday, Ramaphosa declared: “We must never give in to violence, xenophobia or vigilantism.”

The protest group March and March has set an unofficial deadline for all undocumented immigrants to leave the country by June 30, as demonstrations continue ahead of local elections due to be held later this year. Organisers have distanced themselves from social media posts inciting violence, with lead organiser Nkosikhona Ndabandaba stating: “Nothing is going to happen to this country, no infrastructure is going to be damaged, there will be no burning or disruption.” However, several African countries including Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have advised their citizens to remain vigilant. The Federal Government has repeatedly urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm and comply with local laws while diplomatic efforts continue to ensure their safety. The evacuation exercise is expected to continue in the coming days as more citizens indicate interest in returning home. Flight details will be published after the completion of the screening process.

Nigeria to Evacuate Over 1,000 Citizens as Anti-Migrant Violence Spreads in South Africa