The Federal Government has facilitated the return of 33 Nigerians from South Africa following renewed incidents of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other Africans in the country.
The latest group, comprising 17 adults and 16 minors, arrived in Nigeria aboard a South African Airways flight on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other government agencies received the returnees upon arrival.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the latest evacuation marked the 12th consular evacuation from South Africa since the exercise commenced on June 10, 2026.
With the latest return, a total of 1,716 Nigerians have so far been evacuated from South Africa under the ongoing exercise. Of this figure, the Federal Government fully funded the evacuation of 1,388 Nigerians, representing about 81 per cent of the total.
The latest batch was sponsored by the Private Nigerian Group of Business Friends (PNGBF) and the Nigerian Lawyers Association in South Africa (NLASA).
The Federal Government has expressed concern over the continued xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The latest evacuation comes amid ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities and community organisations to assist citizens who feel unsafe or distressed as tensions involving foreign nationals persist in parts of South Africa.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the situation and providing consular assistance to Nigerians affected by the developments.
