Nigeria repatriates 114 nationals amid xenophobic violence in South Africa
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Vanguard
Nigeria has repatriated 114 distressed nationals from South Africa, bringing the number evacuated since 10 June 2026 to 2,151. The Nigerian government condemned xenophobic violence and called on South African authorities to better protect foreigners, according to Nigeria’s foreign ministry.
Nigeria repatriated 114 nationals from South Africa as part of its consular operation for citizens affected by xenophobic violence and Afrophobia. The group, comprising 57 men, 23 women and 34 children, arrived in Lagos aboard a South African Airways flight on Thursday 22 October at around 8.30 pm, according to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as cited by Vanguard.
This operation was the 16th consular evacuation organised since the programme began on 10 June 2026, bringing the total number of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa to 2,151. The federal government directly funded the return of 1,388 of them, while the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) covered 432 tickets through a $265,854 donation intended to support the repatriation of 500 people, Vanguard reports.
The returnees were received by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigerian Immigration Service. Abuja condemned the attacks targeting foreigners and called on South African authorities to protect everyone, regardless of nationality, and prosecute those responsible for the violence, according to the ministry.
