111 more Nigerians return from South Africa amid xenophobia concerns

Another 111 Nigerians have returned home from South Africa as evacuation efforts continue amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against foreign nationals.

The latest group, comprising 44 men, 23 women and 44 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 on October 8.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed their return in a statement issued by spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi.

Total evacuated rises to 2,037

The latest arrival brings the cumulative number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa under the current exercise to 2,037.

The government said the operation has now involved 15 consular evacuations since the exercise began on June 10, 2026.

Of those evacuated so far, the Federal Government fully covered the repatriation costs of 1,388 people.

The latest 111-person evacuation, however, was funded through a $265,854 donation from the Redeemed Christian Church of God to support one-way tickets for 500 distressed Nigerians.

RCCG has funded 318 returns

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said 318 Nigerians have so far benefited from the RCCG-funded initiative.

That leaves another 182 people to be repatriated under the church’s commitment to fund 500 tickets.

The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the church for its support.

Officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and National Emergency Management Agency were among those who received the latest returnees in Lagos.

Renewed anti-migrant unrest in South Africa

The evacuation comes amid renewed tensions affecting African migrants in South Africa.

Recent anti-immigration demonstrations have included violence in Johannesburg and Durban, where vehicles were set on fire and foreign-owned businesses were targeted.

The Nigerian government has said it will continue engaging South African authorities over the safety of Nigerians who remain in the country.

It also advised citizens in South Africa to remain vigilant and maintain contact with Nigerian diplomatic missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg where assistance is required.