LAGOS – A total of 262 passengers and three officials arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday, marking the first batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa due to violent anti-immigration protests.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the repatriated citizens landed aboard an Air Peace flight. The operation was launched to protect nationals facing immediate security threats from escalating xenophobic hostilities.
Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that “President Bola Tinubu ordered the emergency evacuation.” The directive targeted imperiled citizens who consider their lives at risk by their continued stay in South Africa.
The evacuation follows a series of intense anti-migrant demonstrations shaking South Africa since April. Local mobs have demanded the removal of foreign workers, accusing them of taking jobs amidst a 30 percent unemployment rate.
Tensions escalated sharply after South African citizen groups issued a strict June 30 ultimatum for undocumented migrants to leave. This timeline triggered widespread anxiety across diaspora communities, prompting immediate emergency interventions.
The federal government approved five evacuation flights to accommodate the crisis. To ensure maximum safety for affected residents, the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria extended its voluntary repatriation screening exercise until June 14.
Over 1,000 Nigerians have registered for the voluntary repatriation exercise so far. Inter-agency teams received the first batch of 262 returnees in Lagos to provide immediate profiling, trauma counseling, and reintegration support.
Nigeria joins other African nations, including Ghana, Malawi, and Mozambique, currently evacuating citizens from South Africa. Diplomatic engagement continues between Abuja and Pretoria to secure the safety of nationals remaining in the country.
