The President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa and lawyer, Dr. Smart Nwobi, has confirmed that a second batch of stranded Nigerians has been evacuated from South Africa as repatriation efforts continue ahead of a June 30 deadline issued by anti-migrant groups.
Dr. Nwobi, speaking on the ongoing situation in Pretoria, said the evacuees were moved from the Nigerian mission in Pretoria to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, where they were processed for return to Nigeria.
He noted that the Federal Government of Nigeria has begun fulfilling its commitment to evacuate willing citizens.
According to him, the latest evacuation marks progress in the planned airlift operation, although he stressed that a significant number of Nigerians are still stranded at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria awaiting evacuation before the deadline.
Nwobi, who earlier raised alarm over the plight of over 1,000 Nigerians stranded in South Africa, said many had been left without shelter and support while waiting for evacuation arrangements.
He commended the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Acting High Commission in Pretoria, stating that assurances had been given that all willing returnees would be evacuated on or before June 30, 2026.
However, the Nigerian Union leader also raised concerns over rising anti-foreign sentiment in South Africa.
He alleged that some political actors were exploiting xenophobic attitudes to gain political support, particularly targeting African migrants.
Nwobi further linked recent violence, including the killing of a Nigerian in Witbank, to what he described as recurring xenophobic attacks.
He said such incidents persisted due to weak accountability and lack of prosecution of perpetrators.
He added that the Nigerian Union in South Africa has documented several cases of attacks against Nigerians and reported them through diplomatic channels, but lamented the absence of convictions and deterrent sentences.
