Xenophobia: Another Batch Of Nigerians To Leave South Africa Tuesday – FG Announces

The Federal Government has announced that another batch of Nigerians stranded in South Africa will be evacuated on Tuesday as renewed xenophobic attacks continue to threaten the safety of foreign nationals in the country.

‎Naija News reports that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this in a statement posted on her official X handle on Monday, saying the evacuation exercise was part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to bring home Nigerians willing to return.

‎“Another evacuation flight will leave for Johannesburg tomorrow, Tuesday, 7th July, to bring home our citizens,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu wrote.

‎The latest operation is part of the Federal Government’s repatriation programme following the resurgence of anti-immigrant violence in South Africa.

‎Three batches of Nigerians have already been evacuated since the exercise began last month. According to the minister, the final evacuation flight is expected to arrive in South Africa on July 10.

‎“Our Nationals are again advised to weigh the risks regarding whether to remain or return,” she said.

‎Odumegwu-Ojukwu called on Nigerians in South Africa who believe their lives are under threat to take advantage of the government-sponsored evacuation flights.

‎She explained that President Bola Tinubu had approved an extension of the evacuation exercise beyond the initial June 30 deadline to enable more Nigerians to return home safely.

‎“Following the earlier evacuations of our citizens in three separate operations, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, extended the evacuations beyond the June 30 deadline, with the fourth evacuation flight having arrived in Nigeria on 3rd July 2026.

‎“Our citizens are strongly advised to take advantage of this extension and utilise the full capacity of the aircraft.”

‎She warned that while damaged property and investments could be recovered, lives lost could never be replaced.

‎“For many still sitting on the fence, they should do well to note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but not lives lost,” the statement noted.

‎The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians living abroad.

‎“The Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad and will put all necessary measures in place to protect them.”

‎The minister also condemned the killing of two Nigerians, identified as Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, during the latest wave of xenophobic attacks.

‎She called on South African authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

‎“There are no signs that the situation is improving,” she said.

‎“Nigeria remains concerned about the safety of its citizens in South Africa as a result of the ongoing xenophobic protests and attacks on migrants, and even more so following the deaths of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, during these unfortunate events.”

‎The renewed anti-immigrant campaign in South Africa has prompted several African countries to evacuate their citizens after fringe groups demanded that undocumented migrants leave the country by June 30.

‎The campaign has triggered violent protests and clashes in parts of the country, with several foreign nationals reportedly killed.

‎According to the South African Border Management Authority, more than 35,000 people have been repatriated or deported since June 7.

‎The groups behind the campaign have blamed illegal immigration for rising unemployment and poor public service delivery, although analysts say the country’s economic and social challenges are largely rooted in governance failures.

‎On Sunday, the Nigerian Government warned that it could take diplomatic action against South Africa if attacks on Nigerians and their businesses continued.

‎The government said “all options are on the table” should the renewed wave of violence against its citizens and their investments fail to subside.