THE Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) has raised concerns over the worsening plight of hundreds of Nigerians who volunteered to return home following ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa but remain stranded due to delays in the Federal Government’s evacuation programme.
NEWS POINT NIGERIA reports that the Federal Government had, on June 7, 2026, announced plans to deploy five chartered evacuation flights through Air Peace to repatriate Nigerians willing to return home from South Africa.
However, despite the commitment, only one evacuation flight has so far departed South Africa, arriving in Lagos last Thursday with 258 returnees out of more than 1,000 Nigerians who reportedly registered for voluntary repatriation.
The development has left hundreds of Nigerians in uncertainty, with many struggling to cope after travelling long distances in preparation for their return to Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its National President, Frank Onyekwelu, and made available to journalists on Friday, NICASA lamented the difficult conditions being faced by many of the stranded Nigerians.
According to the association, numerous citizens who responded to the government’s evacuation initiative have endured significant hardship following delays in the scheduled flights.
“Hundreds of Nigerians who responded to the Federal Government’s evacuation programme have endured untold hardship following delays in the scheduled repatriation flights.
“Many of these citizens travelled from distant provinces across South Africa after being instructed to report for registration and screening. Today, numerous families, including women and children, are stranded without shelter, food, transportation, or financial means to sustain themselves.
“The situation has become increasingly distressing as some of our nationals have been left sleeping in difficult conditions, uncertain of when they will return home.
“Several have exhausted their limited resources after travelling long distances in good faith, believing that arrangements had been adequately concluded for their departure,” the association stated.
NICASA warned that the situation has evolved into a humanitarian concern requiring urgent intervention by Nigerian authorities.
The association made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government and relevant institutions to take immediate steps to address the plight of affected Nigerians.
NICASA specifically called on the Federal Government, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and members of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Matters, to intervene without delay.
According to the group, urgent action is needed to prevent further suffering among Nigerian nationals awaiting evacuation.
The association also urged the government to accelerate the completion of the repatriation programme and ensure that all registered Nigerians are returned home safely and promptly.
Beyond the evacuation flights, NICASA called for the deployment of emergency resources and the establishment of a humanitarian support mechanism to cater for Nigerians stranded in South Africa pending their departure.
The group appealed to relevant government agencies to facilitate the remaining four evacuation flights as quickly as possible.
“Relevant government agencies to urgently facilitate the remaining four evacuation flights so that all registered citizens can be safely returned home without further delay.
“The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa to improve communication, provide temporary welfare support, and engage constructively with community leadership structures to address the immediate needs of affected citizens,” the association said.
The body maintained that better communication and immediate welfare support would help alleviate the suffering currently being experienced by many Nigerians awaiting repatriation.
When contacted on the matter, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said he did not have any fresh update regarding the repatriation programme.
He, however, assured that further information would be provided once there are new developments concerning the evacuation exercise.
Meanwhile, the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocol of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, reassured affected Nigerians that everyone who registered for evacuation would eventually be brought back home.
He urged those awaiting evacuation to remain patient, explaining that the government is working to ensure the smooth implementation of the repatriation programme.
Balogun said efforts are ongoing to address logistical challenges and complete the evacuation process in an orderly manner.
The assurance comes amid growing concerns among stranded Nigerians, many of whom continue to await confirmation of departure dates as authorities work towards concluding the remaining phases of the repatriation exercise.