South Africa has begun the deportation of 586 Nigerians found to be living in the country illegally, with the first batch arriving in Lagos on Thursday amid mounting concerns over xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals.
Authorities in South Africa confirmed that 268 Nigerians were flown back to Nigeria on June 11, while the remaining deportees are expected to leave on a second flight scheduled for June 15.
In a statement, the South African Department of Home Affairs said all 586 Nigerians were processed for repatriation after being discovered to be residing in the country without valid immigration documents.
“The Department of Home Affairs confirms that it has processed 586 Nigerian nationals for repatriation after they were found to be residing in the Republic of South Africa illegally.
“The first repatriation flight departed on the morning of June 11, 2026, carrying 268 passengers. A second flight transporting the remaining individuals is scheduled for June 15,” the statement said.
The department disclosed that the affected Nigerians were issued emergency travel certificates by the Nigerian High Commission to facilitate their return home.
It added that, in line with South Africa’s Immigration Act, the deportees have been declared undesirable persons and barred from re-entering the country for five years.
The South African government also thanked the Nigerian High Commission for its cooperation throughout the documentation and repatriation process.
Authorities reminded foreign nationals living in the country to ensure they possess valid visas and comply fully with immigration laws.
South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, said the government remained committed to enforcing immigration regulations and restoring the rule of law.
“Home Affairs is irrevocably committed to enforcing South Africa’s immigration laws and restoring the rule of law. Our ongoing orderly and lawful deportations and repatriations, which have increased by 46 per cent over the past two years, are clear evidence of this,” Schreiber said.
He added that ongoing reforms, including the Electronic Travel Authorisation system and digital identity programmes, would strengthen immigration control and border security.
The deportation exercise comes as South African authorities intensify efforts to tackle illegal migration and amid renewed fears over xenophobic violence targeting foreigners.
Meanwhile, the first batch of 258 Nigerians touched down at the International Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a special Air Peace flight at about 10:31 a.m. on Thursday.
The returnees were received by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, alongside other government officials.
Officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, led by Temitope Alexander Ajayi, accompanied the evacuees, many of whom reportedly left behind businesses, jobs and personal belongings.
Upon arrival, the returnees underwent documentation, immigration clearance, profiling and medical screening, while arrangements were made for temporary accommodation and support services before reunions with their families.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, said the evacuation demonstrated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria will not stand idly by while our citizens are subjected to attacks and harassment, wherever they may be in the world,” Enikanolaiye declared.
He said the swift operation reflected Nigeria’s citizen-centred foreign policy and reassured Nigerians living overseas that their welfare remains a top priority.
Enikanolaiye also commended the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for coordinating the evacuation and urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain law-abiding and promptly report any threats to authorities.
He disclosed that the Federal Government was engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels to ensure the safety of Nigerians and address the root causes of the attacks.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the evacuation was carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs, Aviation and Health, the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies.
The ministry said additional evacuation flights may follow as efforts continue to assist Nigerians affected by the attacks, offering relief to many who returned home after weeks of fear and uncertainty in South Africa.
