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Nigeria has evacuated another 106 citizens from South Africa amid rising anti-migrant tensions and concerns over xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreign nationals.
The returnees arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Friday 2 October, two days after the 30 September deadline set by anti-migrant groups for undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa.
Their arrival followed the return of 105 Nigerians on 24 September.
The latest evacuation was partly funded by $265,854 donated by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to support the repatriation of Nigerians affected by the anti-foreigner climate in South Africa.
The donation also supported the evacuation of 100 Nigerians in the previous exercise.
The development follows months of anti-immigration protests across South Africa.
A similar deadline was set in June, after which thousands of people participated in protests followed by incidents of violence and looting.
South African police said around 900 people had been arrested, mostly for immigration-related crimes and looting.
Authorities have warned against vigilantism, stressing that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of government agencies and that only authorized officials can carry out checks on migrants.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over what it described as persistent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
Ministry spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi said Nigeria would continue diplomatic engagement with Pretoria to address the situation.
“Nigeria remains deeply concerned about persistent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa,” Adeniyi said.
He added that Nigeria will continue efforts “to decisively address the issue of xenophobia and Afrophobia and ensure the safety, security and dignity of Nigerians still residing in the country.”
Nigeria had previously completed five phases of a voluntary evacuation programme, bringing home 1,490 citizens on flights operated by Air Peace and South African Airways.
Other African countries have also repatriated citizens amid the tensions. Malawi reported repatriating more than 38,000 citizens, while Zimbabwe reported more than 21,000. Uganda, Ghana and Mozambique have also undertaken repatriation exercises.
South African authorities said more than 53,000 foreign nationals were being deported or repatriated as of July 11, with Malawians, Zimbabweans and Mozambicans accounting for the majority of cases.
The latest evacuation adds to diplomatic concerns between Nigeria and South Africa, as Abuja continues to pressure Pretoria to ensure the safety and dignity of Nigerians living in the country.
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