The Federal Government has evacuated 105 Nigerians from South Africa, including 23 children, amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other Africans in the country.
The latest evacuation was funded largely by a $265,854 donation from the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), which was provided to purchase one-way tickets for 500 distressed Nigerians seeking to return to Nigeria.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, noting that five additional returnees were evacuated with financial support from a private Nigerian citizen.
The 105 returnees—comprising 82 adults and 23 children—arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 at about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
They were received by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant government agencies.
According to the ministry, the latest operation was the 13th consular evacuation from South Africa since the exercise began on June 10, 2026. The number of Nigerians evacuated through the exercise has now risen to 1,821.
The ministry said 1,388 of those evacuated so far were transported with full funding from the Federal Government.
It explained that the evacuation of the latest 100 returnees was made possible by the RCCG’s donation, while the remaining five were supported by a private Nigerian donor.
The ministry stated that Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in South Africa was continuing discussions with the RCCG leadership in the country, as well as other philanthropic organisations and individuals, to secure additional support for Nigerians seeking to return home.
It added that other Nigerians requesting evacuation were undergoing preliminary clearance with the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities.
Those whose clearance processes are completed will be evacuated once the necessary arrangements are finalised, the ministry said.
The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the RCCG, led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its financial contribution towards the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians.
It also commended other organisations and individuals who have supported efforts to assist Nigerians facing distress and safety concerns in South Africa.
According to the government, the support reflects the role of cooperation between public institutions, religious organisations and private individuals in responding to humanitarian emergencies.
The Federal Government also reiterated its concern over what it described as persistent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
It said it remained committed to diplomatic engagements and other measures aimed at securing the cooperation of South African authorities to address the attacks and improve the safety, security and dignity of Nigerians living in the country.
The government further assured Nigerians in the diaspora that the protection of their lives, rights and welfare remained a priority, adding that diplomatic and consular measures would continue to be deployed where necessary.
It urged Nigerians resident in South Africa to remain vigilant and law-abiding and to maintain contact with the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg for assistance whenever required.
