Xenophobia: FG Brings 33 More Nigerians Home From South Africa

Xenophobia: FG Brings 33 More Nigerians Home From South Africa

The Federal Government has facilitated the return of another 33 distressed Nigerians from South Africa, bringing to 1,716 the number of Nigerians repatriated under the ongoing consular evacuation exercise since June 10, 2026.

The latest group, comprising 17 adults and 16 minors, arrived in Nigeria aboard South African Airways flight SA060 at about 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16.

Officials of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other government agencies received the returnees upon arrival.

The latest operation is the 12th consular evacuation from South Africa since the exercise began in June, as the Nigerian government continues efforts to assist citizens who have become distressed or vulnerable in the country.

According to the government, it has fully funded the evacuation of 1,388 Nigerians, representing about 81 per cent of the total number repatriated so far.

The latest batch was supported through private funding initiatives involving Nigerian organisations and individuals.

The Private Nigerian Group of Business Friends (PNGBF) funded the return of 26 of the 33 Nigerians, while the Nigerian Lawyers Association in South Africa (NLASA) supported five others. A private citizen from Bayelsa State also funded the return of three Bayelsa indigenes.

Another 28 Nigerians were recently assisted to return home by the Igbo Lawyers Association South Africa.

The continued repatriation comes amid growing concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks involving Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

READ ALSO:

The Federal Government has said it is concerned about the safety and security of Nigerians living in the country and has raised the issue at regional and continental levels, including with the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

The government has also indicated that it is considering further measures to secure stronger cooperation from South African authorities in addressing attacks and protecting the rights and dignity of Nigerians in the country.

The latest evacuation also follows reports of the deaths of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa earlier in September.

The Nigerian Foreign Ministry identified the victims as James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, who died in Cape Town on September 5 following what Nigerian authorities described as alleged abusive interrogation by South African police officers, and Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, who was killed at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4.

The circumstances surrounding both deaths have generated concern in Nigeria, with authorities calling for appropriate investigations and accountability.

The incidents have further strained concerns surrounding Nigeria-South Africa relations, particularly over the safety of Nigerians living and doing business in South Africa.

Nigeria’s National Assembly has also suspended official visits to South Africa and boycotted legislative activities hosted by the South African Parliament amid concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other bilateral issues.

The Federal Government has meanwhile urged Nigerians still living in South Africa to remain vigilant, obey local laws and maintain contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg whenever they require consular assistance.

The government has also appealed to state governments to complement its efforts by assisting their indigenes who want to return home.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu said some Nigerians returning from South Africa had been forced to leave behind properties, businesses and other livelihoods because of the difficult circumstances they faced.

She has also commended state governments and private organisations supporting Nigerians returning to the country.

Among them is the Enugu State Government, which recently received 77 families comprising 112 indigenes returning from South Africa and provided financial assistance to help them rebuild their lives.

Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, has also said that more than 1,600 Nigerians had returned through government sponsorship and various private interventions.

Ajayi noted that the challenges affecting Nigerians in South Africa extend beyond xenophobic attacks, explaining that some Nigerians who entered the country legally later encountered difficulties with residence documentation because of delays within the immigration system.

The Federal Government has continued diplomatic engagement with South African authorities while supporting Nigerians who voluntarily seek to return home.

The arrival of the latest 33 returnees brings the total number repatriated since June 10 to 1,716, highlighting the scale of the ongoing government and community response to concerns affecting Nigerians in South Africa.

The government is expected to continue monitoring the situation while pursuing diplomatic measures aimed at improving the safety and welfare of Nigerians who remain in the country.