The Federal Government is set to receive another 271 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa on Friday, a development that brings the ongoing repatriation exercise closer to completion as authorities intensify efforts to assist citizens affected by the recent wave of anti-immigration unrest.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the latest batch of returnees is scheduled to arrive on July 3 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard the third government-arranged evacuation flight.
With the expected arrival, the number of Nigerians evacuated under the current exercise will rise to 864, following the successful return of 593 citizens in earlier operations.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government said the exercise is progressing steadily and that additional flights have already been planned to bring home the remaining Nigerians who voluntarily registered for evacuation.
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According to the ministry, 258 evacuees were flown into Lagos on June 11 aboard a special Air Peace flight. Another 66 stranded Nigerians later returned on June 24 after a Nigerian philanthropist paid for their air tickets, while 269 more evacuees arrived on June 30 through the second government-sponsored evacuation.
The ministry disclosed that about 700 Nigerians who have completed registration, screening, and clearance are still awaiting evacuation, with three additional flights expected to conclude the operation in the coming days.
Officials acknowledged that logistical difficulties delayed one phase of the exercise, thereby forcing some prospective returnees to remain temporarily at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria. The ministry, however, said the mission provided accommodation and welfare support until transportation arrangements were completed.
The Federal Government also used the opportunity to dismiss allegations circulating on social media that officials of the Nigerian Mission demanded payment before including citizens on the evacuation list.
The ministry maintained that every evacuation flight under the exercise is fully funded by the Federal Government and affirmed that no evacuee is required to pay for transportation.
It described the allegations as false and urged Nigerians to disregard the claims. He stressed that the evacuation programme is entirely free for eligible citizens.
The repatriation exercise follows renewed anti-illegal immigration protests that erupted in parts of South Africa around June 30. Although South African authorities have said the demonstrations are directed at undocumented migration rather than specific nationalities, foreign nationals from several African countries have been affected by the unrest, which is now prompting diplomatic interventions and emergency evacuation plans.
The latest disturbances have revived concerns over recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa, where periods of economic hardship and heightened debates over immigration have repeatedly triggered attacks on foreign-owned businesses and migrant communities over the past decade.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ongoing operation reflects the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad during periods of crisis. It also commended the cooperation of relevant ministries, departments, and agencies involved in coordinating the evacuation and described the collaboration as essential to ensuring the safe return and proper documentation of affected citizens.
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