The Federal Government has evacuated another batch of 105 distressed Nigerians from South Africa following reported xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans in the country.
The returnees, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 at about 8:30pm on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, September 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said the returnees were received on arrival by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant government agencies.
The ministry said 100 of the returnees were evacuated with funds from the $265,854 donated by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to facilitate the purchase of one-way tickets for 500 distressed Nigerians seeking to leave South Africa.
The remaining five returnees were evacuated through funding provided by a private Nigerian citizen.
Nigeria’s diplomatic mission is continuing discussions with the RCCG leadership in South Africa, as well as other philanthropic organisations and individuals, to facilitate the evacuation of additional Nigerians currently undergoing preliminary clearance with the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities.
The latest exercise brings to 13 the number of consular evacuations conducted from South Africa since the programme began on June 10, 2026, with a total of 1,821 Nigerians evacuated so far.
Of this number, the Federal Government has fully funded the evacuation of 1,388 Nigerians.
The Federal Government expressed appreciation to RCCG and its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for the $265,854 donation, describing the intervention as support for distressed Nigerians seeking to return home because of concerns over their safety.
It also acknowledged other organisations and individuals that have supported the evacuation efforts, stressing the importance of collaboration between public institutions and private groups in addressing social challenges.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Federal Government remains concerned about persistent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
It added that Nigeria would continue diplomatic engagements and other measures aimed at securing the cooperation of South African authorities in tackling xenophobia and Afrophobia and protecting the safety, security and dignity of Nigerians living in the country.
The government also urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain vigilant and law-abiding and maintain contact with the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg for consular assistance when required.
