Xenophobia: Fourth Batch Of Nigerians Fleeing South Africa Arrives In Lagos

Nigeria has continued its evacuation of citizens affected by the wave of anti-migrant violence in South Africa, with another group of returnees arriving safely in Lagos on Friday.

The latest evacuation flight landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, bringing home 268 Nigerians along with two airline officers and crew members.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, confirmed the arrival, stating that the Federal Government sponsored the special Air Peace flight, which departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 5:36 a.m.

“The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has directed that the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa at risk as a result of the ongoing xenophobic protests and attacks continues, even after the deadline of 30th June 2026 issued by South African Anti-migrant groups and vigilantes.

“Three batches of returnees, almost 600 Nationals in total, had earlier been successfully evacuated from South Africa before the deadline.

“The evacuations remain ongoing. The Federal Government is committed to bringing home safely our Nationals who voluntarily registered to be evacuated and have been duly screened and cleared.

“Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in adherence to that unbreakable bond between citizen and state, remains dedicated to this mandate,” she said in a statement on her X handle on Friday.

The minister added that protecting the lives and dignity of Nigerians overseas remains a key priority under the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The evacuation follows growing tension in South Africa, where black migrants have faced increasing hostility and violent attacks in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, thousands of demonstrators marched across several South African cities, demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country.

The protests followed weeks of campaigns led by citizen groups and vigilantes, who had issued an unofficial June 30 deadline for migrants without legal documents.

Security personnel were deployed across major cities to prevent violence, although some areas recorded isolated incidents of looting, stone-throwing, and confrontations between protesters and foreign nationals.

Near Johannesburg, police were forced to escort some migrants away from an angry crowd carrying sticks.

Protesters also damaged property by throwing stones at buildings during demonstrations organised by the March and March movement and Operation Dudula.

In Durban, protesters dressed in traditional Zulu warrior attire, carrying spears, shields, and whips, while some wore leopard skins as they marched through the city.

Cape Town witnessed a smaller turnout, with around 100 people participating in the protest. A separate group also organised a counter-demonstration against xenophobia and Afrophobia.

South Africa remains one of Africa’s biggest destinations for migrant workers, even as it struggles with high unemployment, rising crime, and poor public services.

Groups campaigning against illegal immigration argue that undocumented migrants are taking jobs and government services away from South Africans.

However, analysts have repeatedly said migrants are being unfairly blamed for deeper economic and governance challenges.

Speaking during one of the protests in Durban, March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma claimed illegal immigrants had displaced many South Africans from employment opportunities.

Police have confirmed that the latest violence has claimed at least four lives, including two Mozambicans, one Ethiopian, and one Malawian.

Several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique, have already arranged voluntary evacuation flights and other transport to help their citizens leave South Africa.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government says it plans to seek compensation for citizens who abandoned businesses, homes, vehicles, and other property while fleeing the unrest.

Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, revealed earlier this week during an interview on Channels Television that officials have begun documenting the assets left behind by returning Nigerians.

According to him, affected citizens have been instructed to provide detailed records of their businesses and properties so the Nigerian government can formally engage South African authorities.

Ajayi said the evacuation exercise goes beyond bringing Nigerians home safely, adding that the government intends to work with South Africa to identify the abandoned properties and pursue compensation for citizens who lost investments they had built over many years.

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