ABUJA, July 1 – Nigeria has assured its citizens living in South Africa of their safety as anti migrant protests continue across parts of the country, while stepping up efforts to evacuate citizens who have chosen to return home.
The latest evacuation flight arrived in Lagos on Tuesday with 269 Nigerians on board an Air Peace aircraft from Johannesburg. It is the second government coordinated evacuation in recent weeks, following the return of 66 Nigerians on June 24.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the evacuation exercise remains ongoing despite the June 30 deadline set by some South African groups for undocumented foreigners to leave the country. It added that more flights will be arranged in the coming days for Nigerians who have completed the screening process and opted for voluntary return.
The renewed tension comes as thousands of protesters marched in several South African cities, calling for the removal of undocumented migrants with police maintaining a heavy security presence during the demonstrations, which were largely peaceful, although isolated incidents of looting, vandalism and assaults were reported.
South African authorities said about 50,000 undocumented migrants have been arrested since January, while around 25,000 have already been repatriated, most of them from other African countries.
The Nigerian government is also seeking answers over the reported killing of a Nigerian businessman in Mpumalanga Province. Officials said the Nigerian Mission in South Africa is working with local police to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, while continuing to pursue investigations into earlier cases involving Nigerian citizens.
Speaking on the evacuation exercise, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said senior officials received the returnees on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians living abroad. The ministry also said diplomatic engagement with South African authorities would continue to ensure the safety and welfare of Nigerians who remain in the country.
Meanwhile, Nigerian community organisations and the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria have continued to provide temporary shelter, food and other humanitarian support for affected citizens awaiting evacuation. Officials said hundreds of Nigerians have already been screened, with additional flights expected to bring home those who have registered for voluntary return.
