Monday, June 29, 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate evacuation of more Nigerians from South Africa following a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks and rising threats against foreign nationals.
The directive was announced by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to ensure the safety of Nigerians affected by the growing anti-immigrant protests.
According to Onanuga, the latest evacuation follows the successful return of 66 Nigerians, most of them women and children, who arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 24 aboard a government-funded Air Peace flight.
He disclosed that another Air Peace aircraft has been deployed to O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to evacuate more Nigerians before the deadline reportedly issued by anti-migrant groups.
President Tinubu also directed that the evacuation exercise should continue even after the deadline to ensure that every Nigerian who wishes to return home is safely brought back.
Several government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), have been mobilised to receive the evacuees, conduct documentation, health screenings, and provide necessary support upon their arrival.
The Presidency said the evacuation reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians living abroad under its Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that the safety and welfare of citizens remain a top priority.
The latest development comes amid renewed xenophobic violence and anti-immigrant protests in parts of South Africa, where foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have faced repeated attacks, intimidation, and discrimination.
The Federal Government had earlier revealed that more than 1,000 Nigerians registered for voluntary evacuation as tensions escalated, with multiple evacuation flights approved to bring willing citizens back home.
Authorities have assured Nigerians that the evacuation exercise will continue until every citizen seeking to return is safely repatriated.
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