The Federal Government has evacuated another 105 distressed Nigerians from South Africa amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other Africans in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Saturday.
The latest returnees, made up of 82 adults and 23 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways flight SA060 at about 8:30pm on Thursday.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, National Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies received them on arrival.
According to the ministry, the latest exercise was the 13th consular evacuation from South Africa since the programme began on June 10, 2026.
The evacuation brings the number of Nigerians returned from South Africa through the exercise to 1,821, with 1,388 of them fully funded by the Federal Government.
The ministry said the cost of evacuating 100 of the latest 105 returnees was covered with part of the $265,854 donation made by the Redeemed Christian Church of God for the purchase of one-way tickets for 500 distressed Nigerians seeking to return home.
The remaining five returnees were evacuated through a donation from a private Nigerian citizen.
The government said its diplomatic mission was continuing discussions with the RCCG leadership in South Africa, as well as other philanthropic organisations and individuals, to support the return of more distressed Nigerians.
“Nigeria’s diplomatic mission continues to engage with the leadership of the RCCG in South Africa and other philanthropic groups and individuals, as some other distressed Nigerians are currently undergoing preliminary clearance with our Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities. They will be evacuated as soon as the process is finalized.”
The Federal Government thanked the RCCG, led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its financial contribution towards the evacuation programme. It also appreciated other organisations and individuals supporting efforts to bring distressed Nigerians back home.
The ministry reiterated its concern over attacks targeting Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
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“The Federal Government remains deeply concerned about persistent Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.”
It said it 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 and dignity of Nigerians living in the country.
The government also assured Nigerians in the diaspora that it would continue to provide diplomatic and consular assistance when necessary.
“The Federal Government once again assures Nigerians in the diaspora that protecting their lives, rights, welfare, and dignity remains a priority, and that it will always deploy appropriate diplomatic and consular measures to assist them whenever circumstances warrant.”
The ministry advised Nigerians living in South Africa to remain vigilant and law-abiding while maintaining contact with the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg whenever they require consular assistance.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union in South Africa has also urged Nigerians in the country to exercise caution ahead of demonstrations scheduled for September 30 by the March and March movement.
The union advised Nigerians to stay away from areas expected to host protests and large gatherings, avoid confrontations and ensure that their passports, permits, visas and other immigration documents remain valid and safely kept.
The President-General of NUSA, Dr Smart Nwobi, gave the advice in an advisory issued and signed by him on Saturday.
The March and March movement had announced September 30 for another nationwide demonstration concerning undocumented foreign nationals, following its earlier protests on June 30.
Nwobi urged Nigerians to be particularly careful when travelling through areas identified as possible protest locations.
“NUSA urges all Nigerians and members of the Nigerian community in South Africa to remain calm, vigilant and safety-conscious.”
He advised Nigerians to obey lawful instructions from the South African Police Service and other authorised security agencies, while encouraging them to keep family members and trusted contacts informed of their movements where necessary.
Nwobi also urged members of the Nigerian community to promptly report threats, attacks, intimidation or suspicious activities to the relevant authorities and, when necessary, the union’s leadership.
He warned against responding to provocation with violence, stressing that such actions could put individuals, families and the wider Nigerian community at risk.
“No Nigerian should take the law into their own hands. We must not respond to provocation with violence or engage in activities capable of putting ourselves, our families or the wider Nigerian community at risk.”
The NUSA leader also urged Nigerians to distinguish between concerns surrounding undocumented immigration and the rights and safety of Nigerians who are legally resident and comply with South African laws.
According to him, the union is engaging relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, the Consul General’s Office, the High Commission in Pretoria and appropriate South African authorities.
He said the engagements were aimed at promoting vigilance, protecting lives and property and encouraging a peaceful resolution of the issues.
Nwobi further appealed to the Nigerian Mission to intensify diplomatic discussions with South African authorities to prevent violence and safeguard Nigerians and their property.
“We urge the Nigerian Mission not to relent in its efforts to engage the South African authorities and utilise every diplomatic means available to prevent violence, protect Nigerian lives and property, and ensure that the rights of Nigerians living lawfully in South Africa are respected.”
The union also cautioned Nigerians against circulating unverified videos, voice notes and messages that could cause unnecessary panic.
NUSA said it would continue monitoring the situation and issue further guidance when necessary.