Nigerians evacuated from South Africa have arrived safely in Lagos following recent xenophobic tensions that left many Nigerian residents in fear.
The evacuees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 10:15 a.m. on Thursday aboard an Air Peace aircraft.
The return flight is part of a coordinated evacuation effort by the Federal Government in response to renewed attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, was expected to receive the returnees upon arrival at the airport.
The evacuation comes amid growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians residing in South Africa following reports of violence and attacks on foreign-owned businesses and communities.
The Federal Government had earlier assured that it would continue to engage South African authorities to ensure the protection of Nigerians and prevent further escalation of tensions.
In a statement signed by spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa on Wednesday, the ministry disclosed that the screening of Nigerians willing to voluntarily return home due to the xenophobic attacks had been extended to Sunday, June 14, 2026, to accommodate more affected persons.
It stated that the extension reflected the federal government’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad.
The ministry further assured that relevant ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, had put in place adequate reception, documentation and support arrangements for the returnees upon their arrival.
Meanwhile, the government of South Africa has slammed a five-year travel ban on the 268 Nigerians cleared for repatriation after declaring them illegal residents.
The Department of Home Affairs said shortly before their departure from OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday that all 268 would be declared “undesirable” and barred from re-entering the country for five years under the Immigration Act.
Head of Immigration Enforcement, Stephen van Neel, confirmed the development as buses conveyed the group to the airport for a chartered flight scheduled to depart after midnight.
Speaking to a local channel -Newzroom Afrika – at the airport, he said that another batch of cleared evacuees would leave the country on Monday, June 15.
According to Van Neel, about 1,000 Nigerians registered for repatriation, and 500 had been cleared. The 268 departing first were all undocumented.