Xenophobia: FG processing new flight to evacuate Nigerians in S’Africa

• Anxiety mounts ahead of June 30 anti-immigrant protests

The Federal Government is finalising arrangements to evacuate another batch of stranded Nigerians from South Africa as concerns mount over planned anti-immigrant protests scheduled for June 30.

The Nation gathered that more evacuation flights are being processed following the successful airlift of over 300 Nigerians in two separate operations. While the Federal Government evacuated 268 citizens in the first batch, another 66 were flown home through a privately arranged intervention.

The planned protests were announced by anti-immigration vigilante groups demanding that undocumented foreign nationals, particularly black Africans, leave South Africa by June 30.

The development has heightened fears of renewed xenophobic attacks, prompting several African countries to begin evacuating their nationals. South African authorities have, however, condemned the threats and deployed security personnel, including police and military officers, to maintain law and order across the country.

Presidency sources disclosed that the Federal Government is processing additional evacuation flights as the deadline approaches.

The sources also distanced the government from some flight schedules circulating on social media, describing them as unofficial.

According to one of the sources, government has already requested another evacuation flight, while the financial and logistical arrangements are being concluded.

“The initial plan was to evacuate about 300 people, and that arrangement was concluded with the airline. The additional names came from Nigerians who later indicated interest in returning home,” the source said.

The source explained that only a limited number of Nigerians initially registered for evacuation, leading to the first government-coordinated airlift of 268 people.

It was also revealed that the second batch of about 66 evacuees comprised mainly vulnerable persons, including women and children, and was facilitated through private intervention.

With the growing number of Nigerians seeking to return home, the source said the government must carry out proper profiling of intending evacuees before approving additional flights.

“It is not a funding issue but a matter of following due process. Those willing to return must be properly documented and necessary travel arrangements completed,” the source added.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the government remained committed to evacuating Nigerians who wished to return home.

“More flights are currently being processed,” he said, promising to provide further updates as arrangements progress.

Meanwhile, anxiety continues to grow among Nigerians awaiting evacuation, with more than 1,000 citizens reportedly still stranded in South Africa.

The President of the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, appealed to the Federal Government to expedite the evacuation process.

“As you may know, the first flight evacuated about 268 people, while another 66 left on Wednesday through a privately arranged flight from Nigeria. We still have over 1,000 names remaining, and we hope the additional flights approved by the Federal Government will airlift them,” he said.

Onyekwelu described the conditions facing stranded Nigerians as increasingly difficult, noting that many had been displaced and were living under harsh conditions.

“So far, we still have about 1,000 people remaining. Many of them are frustrated. Some came from distant provinces and are no longer in their homes. They are now staying in churches, community halls and other temporary shelters,” he said.

He added that the situation was worsened by South Africa’s winter season.

“The weather is extremely cold, and exposing women and children to these conditions poses serious health risks. Many of them also lack money to buy food and essential hygiene products while waiting for evacuation,” he said.

Onyekwelu said members of the Nigerian community in South Africa had continued to provide food, groceries and other basic necessities for those affected but urged the Federal Government to fast-track the evacuation.

“We appeal to the government to resolve every technical challenge delaying the process so these people can return home and reunite with their families,” he said.

He also disclosed that NICASA, in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission, had intensified efforts to keep Nigerians informed about security developments ahead of the June 30 deadline.

According to him, Nigerians have been advised to remain vigilant, avoid confrontation with protesters and limit movement on the day of the planned demonstrations.

“We have encouraged our people to stay indoors where possible, close their businesses temporarily, remove valuables from their shops to prevent looting, and maintain communication with their families and our approved information channels.

“They should remain law-abiding, avoid protest areas and refrain from confronting demonstrators. Those who do not have urgent reasons to travel should stay away from the roads because intelligence suggests some attacks could begin before June 30,” he said.

Onyekwelu added that NICASA remained on high alert and would continue working with Nigerian diplomatic missions and South African security agencies to ensure the safety of Nigerians in the country.