ABUJA — The Federal Government has evacuated a total of 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa following renewed fears over xenophobic attacks, marking one of the largest emergency airlifts of citizens in recent years.
The evacuation was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which disclosed the development in an official statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the operation was carried out in collaboration with key agencies including the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and Port Health Services.
The exercise followed rising security concerns in parts of South Africa, where many Nigerians were forced to abandon their homes and businesses amid threats of xenophobic violence, prompting the Federal Government to activate a voluntary evacuation programme.
Conducted over multiple phases between June 10 and July 15, the evacuation involved seven flights operated by Air Peace and South African Airways, with the final batch of over 300 returnees arriving in Lagos to conclude the operation.
Breakdown of the figures shows that 258 Nigerians returned on June 10; 66 on June 24; 272 on June 30; 268 on July 2; 282 on July 9; 39 on July 11; and 305 on July 15 — bringing the total number of evacuees to 1,490.
The Ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the protection of Nigerians abroad under its Citizens’ Diplomacy policy, noting that diplomatic engagements with South African authorities would continue to address the recurring issue of xenophobia.
While the evacuation has brought immediate relief, efforts are now expected to focus on the reintegration of returnees, many of whom lost livelihoods during the crisis.
