By Richard Benjamin
Lagos, Nigeria, June 11, 2026 The first batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday after being repatriated by the Federal Government following renewed xenophobic attacks and rising anti migrant sentiment in parts of the country.
The returnees, estimated at between 258 and 268 people, were flown in from Johannesburg on an Air Peace aircraft as part of a voluntary evacuation exercise for Nigerians who chose to return home over safety concerns.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria received the evacuees and provided medical checks, documentation support and reintegration assistance on arrival.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the evacuation was fully funded by the Federal Government and that no returnee bore any cost for the flight. Authorities also stated that the exercise marks the first phase of a wider repatriation programme, with additional flights expected in the coming days.
The evacuation follows reports of renewed attacks on foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, particularly in Johannesburg and Durban, where migrant communities and foreign owned businesses have faced looting and violence. Nigerian authorities had earlier expressed concern over the safety of citizens in South Africa and engaged diplomatic counterparts to demand stronger protection for Nigerians living in affected areas.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu held discussions with South African officials on the situation while Nigerian missions continued to monitor developments and compile reports on affected citizens. Officials said more than one thousand Nigerians had registered for voluntary repatriation as of this week, with plans underway for further evacuation flights.
Some returnees expressed relief at arriving safely in Nigeria but said they were forced to abandon businesses, jobs and investments built over several years in South Africa. The Federal Government said it would continue to support affected citizens and urged Nigerians still in South Africa to remain vigilant and maintain contact with Nigerian diplomatic missions for assistance.
The development comes amid renewed concern over the safety of African migrants in South Africa and ongoing diplomatic engagement between both countries over recurring xenophobic violence.
