Another 271 Nigerians Land in Lagos After South Africa Evacuation

Nigeria's Federal Government confirmed the arrival of an additional 271 citizens in Lagos today, Friday, as part of the continuous repatriation efforts following recent xenophobic demonstrations in South Africa. According to a statement released on Thursday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this new group of returnees signifies progress towards concluding the evacuation of Nigerians who opted to come back to the country.

The ministry stated that the third evacuation flight, carrying these 271 individuals, was scheduled to touch down at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.

Prior to this latest arrival, a total of 593 Nigerians had already been brought back from South Africa through earlier operations. The initial group of 258 evacuees reached Lagos on June 11, travelling on a dedicated Air Peace flight. They were officially welcomed by Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, representing the Federal Government, before being transferred to appropriate government bodies for necessary registration and profiling processes.

Logistical hurdles were cited by the ministry as the cause for the delay of the second evacuation flight, leading to some Nigerian citizens being temporarily housed and cared for at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria. Furthermore, a generous Nigerian benefactor covered the flight costs for 66 of the stranded individuals, who subsequently arrived in Lagos on June 24. Following this, an additional 269 evacuees landed in the country on June 30, facilitated by the second government-organised repatriation flight.

Looking ahead, the ministry confirmed plans for three more evacuation flights in the coming days, aimed at repatriating approximately 700 Nigerians who have voluntarily signed up, undergone screening, and received clearance for their return.

Regarding accusations that Nigerian Mission officials were soliciting payments from prospective evacuees, the ministry unequivocally refuted these claims. It explicitly stated: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to place on record that all the special evacuation flights are fully paid for by the Federal Government and at no cost to the returnees. This clarification is necessitated by insinuations and false allegations that some staff of the Nigerian Mission were requesting money before enlisting our nationals for the evacuation flights. That is totally false, fake news, and should be discarded.”

The ministry also extended gratitude to the various government ministries, departments, and agencies for their collaborative efforts in the repatriation exercise. It remarked: “The ministry appreciates the very positive coordination and collaboration with relevant MDAs in making this process a success, and we will continue to work together for the good of our country.”

Furthermore, the ministry reiterated the government's dedication to safeguarding Nigerians residing outside the country. It affirmed: “The evacuation process clearly underscores the priority accorded to the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas, which remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a core responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also reflects the Government’s determination to ensure that Nigerians affected by crises abroad receive the necessary support, dignity, and care. The lives of Nigerians living abroad matter, and we are trying our best as a Ministry to give them a sense of belonging.”

Meanwhile, South Africa has recently experienced a resurgence of anti-illegal immigration demonstrations and scattered civil disturbances, which commenced around June 30, 2026, across various urban centers and areas with significant migrant populations. These protests are primarily fueled by groups advocating for more stringent immigration law enforcement, blaming undocumented foreign nationals for exacerbating unemployment, crime rates, and strain on public infrastructure.

Although the protests started as structured street rallies and community marches, reports indicate that in certain localities, they intensified into violent clashes and acts of looting, specifically targeting businesses and homes owned by foreign nationals. South African authorities insist that these protests are directed at illegal migration generally, not specific nationalities. However, in reality, foreign nationals from various African countries have once again been swept into the escalating tensions, leading to apprehension among their home governments and prompting renewed evacuation initiatives by diplomatic missions.

This ongoing unrest has also reignited persistent worries concerning xenophobic violence in South Africa, a phenomenon that has periodically emerged over the last ten years, particularly during periods of economic hardship and intensified political discourse surrounding migration policies.