The Federal Government has concluded arrangements to evacuate more than 700 Nigerians stranded in South Africa over the next few days, as it intensifies efforts to bring home citizens affected by renewed xenophobic attacks in the country.
The latest operation is expected to push the total number of Nigerians repatriated under the ongoing emergency exercise to nearly 1,300, making it one of the largest evacuation efforts from South Africa in recent years.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday that three additional special flights have been scheduled to airlift Nigerians who voluntarily registered for evacuation following the outbreak of violence targeting foreign nationals.
According to the ministry spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the first of the remaining flights is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday with 271 returnees on board.
The evacuation followed the earlier successful return of 593 Nigerians in three batches.
The first group of 258 arrived on a special Air Peace flight on June 11, while a second government-arranged flight landed on June 30 with 269 returnees.
In between, 66 Nigerians were also evacuated through a privately supported arrangement after a Nigerian philanthropist reportedly paid their fares to return home.
Ebienfa said all returnees underwent proper screening and registration, assuring that every Nigerian who has completed the required processes would be safely brought back home.
He also dismissed allegations circulating on social media that officials of the Nigerian mission in South Africa demanded payment from stranded citizens before including them on evacuation lists, describing the claims as false.
According to him, all evacuation flights are fully funded by the Federal Government and free of charge to returnees.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all the special evacuation flights are fully paid for by the Federal Government and at no cost to the returnees,” Ebienfa said.
He described reports of extortion as “fake news” and urged the public to disregard them.
The evacuation comes amid recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have repeatedly been targeted during outbreaks linked to unemployment, economic hardship and social tensions.
Over the years, several waves of attacks have led to deaths, destruction of property and displacement of migrants, prompting diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and South Africa.
The latest exercise reflects renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa, which hosts a large diaspora population of professionals, traders and students.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the operation underscores government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, adding that citizen welfare remains a key pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy.
It also praised the coordination among government agencies involved in the evacuation, describing the effort as part of a broader commitment to ensuring dignity and support for Nigerians affected by crises overseas.
