FG to evacuate 742 Nigerians from South Africa over xenophobic attacks

The Federal Government has begun the urgent evacuation of Nigerians stranded in South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks, and no fewer than 742 citizens are expected to be airlifted home before June 30, 2026.

The evacuation, confirmed on Thursday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, comes amid growing tension and reports of attacks on foreign nationals in some parts of South Africa.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Communications and New Media, Magnus Eze, assured that the Tinubu administration will not abandon any Nigerian who has voluntarily chosen to return home for security reasons.

According to her, about 1,000 Nigerians had registered for evacuation from the crisis-hit country, while 258 were successfully evacuated in the first phase and welcomed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 11.

He revealed that the remaining 742 citizens will be evacuated in successive batches before the June 30 deadline, stressing that arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth process.

“The Federal Government remains committed to the protection and well-being of Nigerians abroad. No citizen willing to return home will be left behind,” the minister said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that President Bola Tinubu had directed that all Nigerians exposed to danger

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