Nigeria has completed the evacuation of nearly 1,500 of its citizens from South Africa following a wave of xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals.
The final flight of the emergency repatriation programme landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday, carrying 305 returnees.
The operation, which began in June, was coordinated by the Nigerian government in partnership with private carrier Air Peace and South African Airways. In total, 1,490 Nigerians have been brought home.
A spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the emergency flights were organized in response to “sustained safety concerns” arising from attacks on foreign residents in South Africa.
Flight breakdown
The evacuation was carried out in five distinct phases over a five-week period:
- 10 June: 258 returnees (Air Peace)
- 24 June: 66 returnees (South African Airways)
- 30 June – 9 July: Three flights carrying a combined 822 returnees (Air Peace)
- 11 July: 39 returnees (South African Airways)
- 15 July: 305 returnees (Air Peace)
Diplomatic friction
While expressing appreciation to South African authorities for their cooperation during the airlift, Abuja reiterated its firm stance against the targeted violence.
“The Federal Government reiterates its firm position that all forms of xenophobia, racial intolerance, and violence against foreign nationals are unacceptable,” the ministry said in a statement.
The government added that it would continue to engage diplomatically with Pretoria to ensure the safety of Nigerians who choose to remain in South Africa.
Xenophobic tensions have periodically flared in South Africa, where foreign nationals are sometimes accused of taking local jobs or driving high crime rates—allegations that human rights groups and foreign governments have strongly condemned.
Reintegration support
Multiple Nigerian agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the diaspora commission (NiDCOM), received the returnees in Lagos.
The government has promised to provide support to help the evacuees reintegrate into local communities. It also advised Nigerians still living abroad to register with their local embassies to ensure prompt assistance during future emergencies.
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