FG evacuates another 105 Nigerians from South Africa

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The Federal Government has evacuated another batch of 105 Nigerians from South Africa following xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in the country.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement signed and released by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Saturday.

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The returnees, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, arrived Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 at about 8:30pm on Thursday.

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They were received on arrival by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant Federal Government agencies.

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The ministry said the latest returnees constituted the 13th consular evacuation from South Africa since the exercise commenced on June 10, 2026.

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The latest evacuation brings the total number of Nigerian nationals evacuated from South Africa to 1,821, of which 1,388 were fully funded by the Federal Government.

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According to the ministry, the evacuation of 100 of the 105 returnees was funded from the $265,854 donation made by the Redeemed Christian Church of God towards the purchase of one-way tickets for the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.

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It said the remaining five returnees were evacuated through a donation by a private Nigerian citizen.

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The ministry added that Nigeria’s diplomatic mission was continuing engagements with the RCCG leadership in South Africa, as well as other philanthropic groups and individuals, to facilitate the evacuation of other distressed Nigerians.

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“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.”

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The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the RCCG, under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its donation towards the evacuation of distressed Nigerians.

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It also appreciated other groups and individuals that had partnered with the government to assist Nigerians seeking to return home from South Africa.

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The ministry said the Federal Government remained concerned about attacks against 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.”

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It said the government remained committed to pursuing diplomatic efforts and other measures to secure the cooperation of South African authorities in addressing xenophobia and Afrophobia and ensuring the safety, security and dignity of Nigerians resident in the country.

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The ministry also assured Nigerians in the diaspora that the government would continue to deploy appropriate diplomatic and consular measures to assist them when necessary.

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“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.”

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It urged Nigerians resident 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 whenever required.

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