Nigeria Evacuates 33 Distressed Nationals From South Africa, Total Reaches 1,716
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Government has facilitated the return of another 33 distressed Nigerians from South Africa amid renewed concerns over reported xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other Africans in the country.
The development was contained in a statement signed by Oluwafemi Adeniyi, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, on Thursday, September 17, 2026, following the arrival of the latest batch of returnees in Nigeria.
The 33 returnees, comprising 17 adults and 16 minors, arrived aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 at about 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, and were received by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other relevant government agencies.
The latest evacuation brings to 1,716 the total number of Nigerians returned from South Africa since the commencement of the consular evacuation exercise on June 10, 2026.
According to the Ministry, the latest arrival represents the 12th consular evacuation from South Africa, with the Federal Government fully funding the return of 1,388 Nigerians, representing approximately 81 per cent of the total number evacuated under the exercise.
The government expressed appreciation to the Private Nigerian Group of Business Friends (PNGBF) and the Nigerian Lawyers Association in South Africa (NLASA) for sponsoring the air tickets of distressed Nigerians in the latest batch.
The Ministry described the intervention as an indication of the importance of collaboration between government, Nigerian community associations and other stakeholders in protecting Nigerians living abroad.
“The Federal Government remains deeply concerned about persistent Xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa,” the statement said.
The government disclosed that the issue had been formally brought to the attention of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, in line with Nigeria’s stated commitment to protecting its citizens and promoting the rights and dignity of Africans across the continent.
The Ministry said further diplomatic engagements were being pursued, adding that the Federal Government was “actively considering further concrete measures” to secure the cooperation of South African authorities in addressing xenophobia and Afrophobia and safeguarding Nigerians resident in the country.
It assured Nigerians in the diaspora that protecting their lives, rights, welfare and dignity remained a priority, stressing that appropriate consular and diplomatic measures would be deployed whenever circumstances warranted.
The government also urged Nigerians living 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 whenever consular assistance is required.
The Federal Government said the safe and dignified return of the 33 nationals formed part of its ongoing efforts to assist Nigerians affected by prevailing security concerns in South Africa and provide support to vulnerable citizens who wish to return home.
