Nigeria to evacuate another group from South Africa due to xenophobic attacks

Nigeria’s government said on Tuesday it would evacuate a number of its citizens from South Africa following a new wave of xenophobic attacks against other Africans in the country.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this in a statement posted on her official X account on Monday morning.

“Another evacuation flight will depart for Johannesburg tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7, to bring our citizens home,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu wrote.

The evacuation is the latest in a repatriation effort by Nigerian authorities as they seek the safety of their citizens in South Africa.

There have been three waves of Nigerians who have returned to their homes since the evacuation began last month. The minister said the final evacuation flight was “expected to arrive in South Africa on July 10”.

“Our citizens are once again advised to weigh the risks of whether to stay or return,” he said.

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Odumegwu-Ojukwu called on Nigerians in South Africa “who consider their lives to be at risk to avail of FG-sponsored evacuation flights for repatriation”.

“Following the previous evacuation of our citizens in 3 separate operations, the President and Commander of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, extended the Evacuation beyond the 30 June deadline, with the fourth evacuation flight having arrived in Nigeria on 3 July 2026,” the diplomat said. “Our citizens are strongly advised to take advantage of this extension and utilize the full capacity of the aircraft.”

But the minister condemned the killing of two Nigerians in South Africa, and called on authorities to “immediately investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice”.

“There are no signs of the situation improving yet,” he said.

“Nigeria remains concerned about the safety of its citizens in South Africa as a result of the ongoing xenophobic protests and attacks on migrants, and even more so following the death of 2 Nigerian citizens, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, in the unfortunate incident,” the minister said.

“For many who remain undecided, they should realize that lost property and investments can be replaced, but not lost lives,” he wrote.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad and will take all necessary measures to protect them.”

On Sunday, Nigeria threatened to take action against South Africa and said “all options are on the table” if the spate of attacks on its citizens and their investments in South Africa does not subside.