Nigeria Evacuates 111 Citizens From South Africa Over Attacks

Nigeria’s Federal Government evacuated 111 distressed citizens from South Africa to Lagos on October 8, 2026, amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, with the latest returnees arriving on South African Airways Flight SA060 as part of an ongoing repatriation exercise.

The returnees consisted of 44 men, 23 women and 44 children, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi. Officials from the ministry, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the National Emergency Management Agency and other agencies received them in Lagos.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the latest arrival increased the number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to 2,037. The exercise has recorded 15 consular evacuations since it began on June 10, 2026, while 1,388 Nigerians have had their repatriation costs fully covered by the Federal Government.

According to the ministry statement, the latest group was funded through a $265,854 donation from the Redeemed Christian Church of God to support the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.

"The evacuation of this latest batch was fully funded from the Two Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four US Dollars ($265,854.00) donation made by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to support the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa," said Oluwafemi Adeniyi, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry said the church-funded effort has provided one-way tickets for 318 Nigerians so far, leaving 182 people to be repatriated under RCCG’s commitment.

"The arrival of the returnees brings the total number of consular evacuations conducted from South Africa to 15 since the commencement of the ongoing evacuation exercise on 10th June, 2026," said Oluwafemi Adeniyi, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Federal Government acknowledged RCCG’s financial support, with the church’s assistance covering part of the continuing evacuation process for distressed Nigerians.

"The Federal Government, once again, expresses its profound appreciation to the RCCG, under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its generous financial support towards the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa," said Oluwafemi Adeniyi, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry also outlined the government’s approach to addressing concerns affecting Nigerians living in South Africa through engagement with relevant stakeholders.

"The Federal Government remains committed to engaging relevant stakeholders, including authorities of South Africa, to address Xenophobia and Afrophobia in the country, and promote the welfare, safety and dignity of Nigerians residing there," said Oluwafemi Adeniyi, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The government advised Nigerians in South Africa to follow local laws, stay vigilant and maintain contact with Nigerian diplomatic missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg for consular support.

"The Federal Government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing timely consular support to Nigerians in the diaspora and safeguarding their welfare and well-being," said Oluwafemi Adeniyi, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.