Nigeria has repatriated 268 of its citizens from South Africa following a wave of anti-migrant violence that has left at least two Nigerians dead, authorities confirmed on Friday. The evacuees arrived in the early hours at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard a chartered Air Peace flight funded by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Officials say the evacuation is part of a broader effort to bring home more than 1,000 Nigerians who have registered for assistance amid escalating tensions in parts of South Africa. At least five evacuation flights have been scheduled in the coming days.
Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the situation as deeply concerning, emphasizing that those returning home were not involved in criminal activities. “These are law-abiding Nigerians who became targets simply because of their identity as black migrants,” she said while addressing journalists at the airport.
The latest unrest follows a pattern of sporadic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, often driven by economic grievances and accusations that migrants are taking jobs from locals. However, Nigerian officials have pushed back against such narratives, stressing that the victims are being unfairly scapegoated.
According to preliminary reports, the violence that triggered the evacuation involved looting, assaults, and the destruction of businesses owned by foreign nationals. Nigerian authorities confirmed that at least two of their citizens were killed in the incidents, though details remain under investigation.
The Federal Government has pledged to support the returnees through reintegration programs designed to ease their transition back into society. These include skills assessments, access to small business loans, and vocational training initiatives aimed at helping them rebuild their livelihoods.
“We are not just bringing them home; we are helping them restart their lives,” a government official involved in the evacuation process said. “The goal is to ensure they can become economically stable as quickly as possible.”
Diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and South Africa are ongoing, with Abuja expressing concern over the safety of its citizens abroad. South African authorities, on their part, have reiterated their commitment to addressing crime and undocumented migration, though critics argue that enforcement measures often disproportionately affect foreign nationals.
For many of the returnees, the journey home marks the end of a traumatic chapter. Some arrived visibly shaken, recounting how they fled their homes and businesses to escape the violence. Others expressed relief at being back on Nigerian soil but uncertainty about what lies ahead.
As evacuation efforts continue, Nigerian authorities say their priority remains the safety and welfare of citizens overseas. The situation also raises broader questions about migration, economic inequality, and regional cooperation in Africa, issues that analysts say will require sustained diplomatic and policy attention in the months ahead.
“They didn’t commit any cr+me, the only cr+me they committed is the colour of their skin” — Abike Dabiri-Erewa on evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa following presidential approval pic.twitter.com/QRqqfzrg63
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) June 12, 2026