Nigeria Completes Evacuation of 1,490 Citizens from South Africa Amid Rising Xenophobic Tensions

Nigeria Completes Evacuation of 1,490 Citizens from South Africa Amid Rising Xenophobic Tensions

Description: Nigeria has evacuated 1,490 citizens from South Africa following weeks of anti-immigrant protests and rising xenophobic tensions. Read the latest updates and government response.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully completed the evacuation of 1,490 Nigerian citizens from South Africa following weeks of escalating anti-immigrant protests and security concerns.

According to Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the evacuation took place between June 10 and July 15, 2026, bringing home Nigerians who chose to leave amid growing tensions and uncertainty.

The repatriation followed intensified pressure from anti-illegal immigration groups in South Africa, which had demanded that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country by June 30. The protests later turned violent, resulting in the deaths of at least four foreign nationals and widespread reports of attacks, looting, and the destruction of businesses owned by immigrants.

Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed that the evacuation exercise has now been completed, reaffirming the Nigerian government's commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.

Nigeria is not alone in responding to the crisis. Several African countries have also organized government-assisted repatriation programmes. Malawi has returned approximately 38,000 citizens, Zimbabwe has repatriated nearly 21,300, and Uganda has evacuated around 1,100 nationals. Hundreds of citizens from Ghana, Mozambique, and Kenya have also returned home.

Earlier this month, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation for foreigners in South Africa and called for a thorough investigation into the deaths of two Nigerian citizens during the unrest. South African police have stated that those deaths were not directly linked to the protests.

In a statement, the Nigerian government strongly condemned xenophobia, racial intolerance, and all forms of violence against foreign nationals, stressing that such acts have no place in a united Africa. While some lawmakers have called for tougher measures, Nigeria says it will continue engaging the South African government through diplomatic channels to seek lasting solutions.

The situation has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger regional cooperation, better protection for migrants, and peaceful coexistence across the African continent.

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