Xenophobic attacks: FG to airlift over 500 Nigerians from South Africa
By John Okezie
The Federal Government, has screened and cleared over 500 Nigerians living in South Africa who have indicated interest to be evacuated to the country.
The development followed repeated xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other nationals living in South Africa.
The Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja.
Ebienfa said information from the Nigerian Mission in Pretoria, South Africa, indicated that the screening exercise of Nigerian nationals that have indicated interest to be evacuated to the country has been extended to Wednesday, 10th June, 2026.
“So far, over 500 persons have been screened and cleared.
“Mr President has approved five evacuation flights that will be operated by Air Peace and the first flight which will airlift about 270 passengers is expected to leave Johannesburg on Monday evening if the necessary permits and clearance are secured for the aircraft,” Ebienfa said.
He further said the departure time and estimated time of arrival in Lagos, will be provided in due course from the High Commission in South Africa.
Relationship between the Republic of South Africa and Nigeria has been marred by xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in the country in recent years.
In a bid to nip the crisis in the bud, former President Muhammadu Buhari and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, established the Early Warning Mechanism.
Despite the policy approach by Nigeria and South Africa, the ugly tide hadn’t been stemmed.
Recent reports showed a renewed xenophobic tensions and violence aimed at foreign nationals as a result of activities of vigilante groups and online threats.
While there have been harassment in KwaZulu-Natal, which led to the summoning of the South African envoys in Nigeria and the Republic of Ghana, the attacks have remained unabated.
