THE Federal Government has evacuated another batch of 105 distressed Nigerians from South Africa following xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in the country. The latest evacuation brings the total number of Nigerian nationals evacuated from South Africa since the exercise began in June to 1,821.
News Point Nigeria reports that the returnees, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 at about 8:30 pm on Thursday, September 24, 2026, and were received by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant Federal Government agencies.
The development was contained in a statement signed by Oluwafemi Adeniyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Saturday.
The ministry said the latest returnees constituted the 13th consular evacuation from South Africa since the exercise commenced on June 10, 2026, bringing the total number of Nigerian nationals evacuated from the country to 1,821, of which 1,388 were fully funded by the Federal Government.
According to the ministry, the evacuation of 100 of the 105 returnees was funded from the $265,854 donation made by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) towards the purchase of one-way tickets for the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa. The remaining five returnees were evacuated through a donation by a private Nigerian citizen.
The ministry added that Nigeria’s diplomatic mission was continuing engagements with the RCCG leadership in South Africa, as well as other philanthropic groups and individuals, to facilitate the evacuation of other distressed Nigerians.
“Nigeria’s diplomatic mission continues to engage with the leadership of the RCCG in South Africa and other philanthropic groups and individuals, as some other distressed Nigerians are currently undergoing preliminary clearance with our Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities. They will be evacuated as soon as the process is finalized.”
The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the RCCG, under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its donation towards the evacuation of distressed Nigerians.
It also appreciated other groups and individuals that had partnered with the government to assist Nigerians seeking to return home from South Africa.
The ministry said the Federal Government remained concerned about attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
“The Federal Government remains deeply concerned about persistent Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.”
It said the government remained committed to pursuing diplomatic efforts and other measures to secure the cooperation of South African authorities in addressing xenophobia and Afrophobia and ensuring the safety, security and dignity of Nigerians resident in the country.
The ministry also assured Nigerians in the diaspora that the government would continue to deploy appropriate diplomatic and consular measures to assist them whenever necessary.
“The Federal Government once again assures Nigerians in the diaspora that protecting their lives, rights, welfare, and dignity remains a priority, and that it will always deploy appropriate diplomatic and consular measures to assist them whenever circumstances warrant.”
It urged Nigerians resident in South Africa to remain vigilant and law-abiding and maintain contact with the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg for consular assistance whenever required.
NUSA Issues Safety Advisory
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA) has urged Nigerians living in the country to remain vigilant and avoid areas where protests and large gatherings are expected ahead of the September 30 demonstrations announced by the March and March movement.
The union also advised Nigerians to avoid confrontations and ensure that their passports, permits, visas and other immigration documents are valid and securely kept.
The President-General of NUSA, Dr Smart Nwobi, gave the advice in an advisory issued on Saturday and signed by him.
The March and March movement had announced September 30 as a fresh date for nationwide action relating to undocumented foreign nationals, following its previous demonstrations on June 30. The group’s September 30 call has also prompted renewed preparations by Nigeria’s diplomatic mission to assist Nigerians who wish to return home.
Nwobi said Nigerians should exercise caution, particularly when travelling through areas identified as potential protest zones.
He said, “NUSA urges all Nigerians and members of the Nigerian community in South Africa to remain calm, vigilant and safety-conscious.”
He urged Nigerians to comply with lawful instructions from the South African Police Service and other authorised law enforcement agencies, while advising them to keep family members and trusted contacts informed of their movements where necessary.
The NUSA president-general also called on Nigerians to promptly report threats, attacks, intimidation or suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities and, where necessary, to the union’s leadership.
He cautioned Nigerians against responding to provocation with violence, saying such actions could endanger individuals, families and the wider Nigerian community.
Nwobi said, “No Nigerian should take the law into their own hands. We must not respond to provocation with violence or engage in activities capable of putting ourselves, our families or the wider Nigerian community at risk.”
He further urged Nigerians to distinguish between concerns over undocumented immigration and the safety and lawful presence of Nigerians who are properly documented and comply with South African laws.
According to him, NUSA is engaging relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, comprising the Consul General’s Office and the High Commission in Pretoria, as well as appropriate South African authorities.
He said the engagements were aimed at encouraging vigilance, protecting lives and property, and promoting a peaceful resolution of concerns.
Nwobi also urged the Nigerian Mission to continue its diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to prevent violence and protect the lives and property of Nigerians living in the country.
He said, “We urge the Nigerian Mission not to relent in its efforts to engage the South African authorities and utilise every diplomatic means available to prevent violence, protect Nigerian lives and property, and ensure that the rights of Nigerians living lawfully in South Africa are respected.”
The union also warned Nigerians against spreading unverified information, including videos, voice notes and messages capable of creating panic.