Xenophobia: Another 269 Nigerians Return from South Africa as Evacuation Continues

Xenophobia: Another 269 Nigerians Return from South Africa as Evacuation Continues.

The Federal Government has welcomed another 269 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa, as efforts to repatriate citizens intensify ahead of the June 30 deadline for undocumented foreign nationals .

The Air Peace flight from Johannesburg touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 10:48 a.m. on Tuesday . The returnees were accompanied by officials from the Nigerian Mission in South Africa and received by a delegation led by the Director of the African Affairs Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe .

The latest arrival brings the total number of voluntary returnees in recent weeks to 335, following the evacuation of 66 Nigerians on June 24 via a South African Airways flight arranged by a private citizen.

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Government Reaffirms Commitment to Safety

Ambassador Ali-Gombe conveyed the greetings and assurances of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the returning nationals, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians living abroad.

“With the June 30 deadline on undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa, the Federal Government wishes to reiterate the fact that the evacuation process is still on course,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said in a statement .

Ebienfa added that more flights are expected in the coming days to evacuate all Nigerians who have been screened and cleared for voluntary return.

The evacuations come as thousands of anti-immigration protesters took to the streets across major South African cities on Tuesday, demanding the removal of undocumented foreigners . The demonstrations followed an unofficial June 30 deadline set by anti-migration campaigners.

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Videos shared online showed large crowds marching through Johannesburg, chanting slogans against undocumented immigrants . The city centre was unusually quiet, with many businesses remaining shut as police maintained a strong presence on major roads .

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had earlier appealed to protesters to remain peaceful, urging demonstrators to avoid “intimidation, threats or ultimatums” . Police were deployed across the country to prevent violence, though some isolated incidents of looting and property damage were reported.

Stranded Nigerians Seek Refuge at High Commission

Ahead of the protests, dozens of Nigerians gathered at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, seeking safety over fears of xenophobic attacks . Some said they felt safer at the diplomatic mission following reports of planned demonstrations.

One stranded Nigerian said many had rushed to the embassy because of growing fears about what might happen during the protests.

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“When you’ve been chased and when you’re afraid, the next thing you could do is to run to your father’s house,” another person seeking refuge told reporters.

Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, disclosed that the mission has begun documenting businesses and properties left behind by returning citizens as part of efforts to pursue compensation claims with South African authorities.

Ajayi also rejected claims that most Nigerians in South Africa are undocumented migrants, explaining that many entered the country legally but were affected by prolonged delays in the renewal of immigration documents by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs.

The Federal Government has maintained that while the evacuation programme is voluntary, it remains committed to protecting the rights, welfare, and investments of Nigerians in South Africa through diplomatic engagement and consular support.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government will continue to engage South African authorities at the highest levels to ensure the protection of Nigerian nationals who remain in the country.