The Federal Government has begun plans to evacuate Nigerians living in South Africa who wish to return home following renewed fears of attacks targeting foreign nationals. Officials say the move is a precautionary step to safeguard citizens amid rising anti immigrant tensions in several South African cities.
According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, at least 130 Nigerians have so far registered with Nigerian diplomatic missions for voluntary evacuation flights. She disclosed via her X handle that the figure is expected to rise as more people come forward, stressing that Nigerian lives and businesses in South Africa “must not continue to be put at risk.”
The latest concerns follow renewed anti foreigner protests and incidents in parts of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and KwaZulu Natal. Reports say many migrants have closed their shops early, avoided public gatherings and taken extra precautions as rhetoric and threats against Africans seen as “taking jobs” intensify.
Nigeria’s evacuation plan is being coordinated through its High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate in Johannesburg, working with South African authorities on logistics and security. Officials say the programme is strictly voluntary and targeted at those who feel unsafe or wish to relocate back home at this time.
The move recalls previous evacuations carried out in 2019, when hundreds of Nigerians were flown out of South Africa after a series of deadly xenophobic attacks. Human rights groups and regional bodies have again called on the South African government to tackle the root causes of the violence and protect all lawful residents regardless of nationality.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed relevant agencies to intensify monitoring of the situation, provide consular support and continue diplomatic engagements with Pretoria. The government has urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, obey local laws and immediately contact Nigerian missions if they need assistance or wish to join the evacuation list.
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