The Federal Government has evacuated another 111 Nigerians from South Africa amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, raising the total number of citizens returned home through the ongoing exercise to 2,037. The returnees arrived in Lagos on Thursday, October 8, aboard South African Airways flight SA060. The group consisted of 44 men, 23 women […]

The Federal Government has evacuated another 111 Nigerians from South Africa amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, raising the total number of citizens returned home through the ongoing exercise to 2,037.

The returnees arrived in Lagos on Thursday, October 8, aboard South African Airways flight SA060. The group consisted of 44 men, 23 women and 44 children, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said officials from several Federal Government agencies received the returnees. The agencies included the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and the National Emergency Management Agency.

The evacuation was funded by a $265,854 donation from the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The church provided the money to support the return of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa, according to the ministry.

The government said the latest arrival represented the 15th consular evacuation since the exercise commenced on June 10, 2026. It added that 1,388 of the 2,037 Nigerians evacuated so far had their repatriation expenses fully covered by the Federal Government.

Under the RCCG-supported arrangement, one-way tickets have been provided for 318 Nigerians, while 182 more people remain to be brought home under the church’s commitment. The Federal Government thanked the church and its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for the financial assistance.

The ministry reiterated the government’s determination to engage South African authorities and other stakeholders in efforts to address xenophobia and Afrophobia. It said the engagements were part of efforts to protect Nigerians living in South Africa.

Nigerians who remain in the country were advised to stay alert, obey local laws and take precautions to protect themselves. The ministry also urged them to keep in touch with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg for assistance when necessary.

The Federal Government maintained that it would continue working with relevant authorities to support Nigerians abroad and protect their welfare and dignity. The latest evacuation is part of the government’s ongoing consular response to Nigerians seeking to return from South Africa amid safety concerns.