Nigeria evacuates 111 more distressed citizens from South Africa

The Federal Government has evacuated another batch of 111 distressed Nigerians from South Africa amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in the country, bringing the total number of Nigerians repatriated under the ongoing exercise to 2,037.

The returnees, comprising 44 men, 23 women and 44 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 on Thursday, October 8, 2026. They were received by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant Federal Government agencies.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, in Abuja on Sunday.

According to the ministry, the latest evacuation was fully funded from the $265,854 donation by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to support the repatriation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.

It said the latest arrival brought to 15 the number of consular evacuation exercises conducted from South Africa since the commencement of the ongoing operation on June 10, 2026.

Of the 2,037 Nigerians evacuated so far, the statement said, 1,388 had their repatriation costs fully covered by the Federal Government.

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It added that the RCCG, under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, had funded one-way tickets for 318 Nigerians, leaving another 182 to be repatriated under the church’s commitment to sponsor the evacuation of 500 citizens.

The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the church for its financial support, describing the intervention as a contribution to efforts to evacuate distressed Nigerians from South Africa.

The ministry said the government remained committed to engaging relevant stakeholders, including South African authorities, to address xenophobia and Afrophobia and promote the safety, welfare and dignity of Nigerians residing in the country.

It advised Nigerians in South Africa to comply with local laws, remain vigilant and prioritise their safety.

The ministry also urged them to maintain contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg for consular assistance when necessary.

It reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing timely consular support to Nigerians in the diaspora and safeguarding their welfare.