The Federal Government has confirmed that 271 more Nigerians fleeing the recent wave of xenophobic unrest in South Africa are expected to arrive in Lagos on Friday as the evacuation of affected citizens continues.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made this known in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, noting that the latest operation brings the government closer to completing the return of Nigerians who voluntarily registered for evacuation.
According to the ministry, the third evacuation flight is scheduled to touch down at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026, carrying 271 returnees.
The ministry said 593 Nigerians have already been successfully evacuated from South Africa through earlier operations.
It recalled that the first batch of 258 evacuees arrived in Lagos on June 11 aboard a special Air Peace flight. They were received on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb Sola Enikanolaiye, before being handed over to the appropriate ministries, departments and agencies for documentation and profiling.
The statement explained that logistical difficulties affected the second evacuation exercise, forcing some Nigerians to remain temporarily at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, where the mission provided accommodation and support.
It added that a Nigerian philanthropist voluntarily sponsored the airfare for 66 stranded Nigerians, who returned to Lagos on June 24, while another 269 evacuees arrived on June 30 aboard the second government-arranged evacuation flight.
The ministry further disclosed that three more evacuation flights would be deployed in the coming days to bring home about 700 additional Nigerians who have voluntarily registered, completed screening and been cleared for evacuation.
Responding to allegations that officials at the Nigerian Mission demanded payment from prospective evacuees, the ministry denied the claims.
It stated, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to place on record that all the special evacuation flights are fully paid for by the Federal Government and at no cost to the returnees.
“This clarification is necessitated by insinuations and false allegations that some staff of the Nigerian Mission were requesting money before enlisting our nationals for the evacuation flights. That is totally false, fake news, and should be discarded.”
The ministry also praised the cooperation among government agencies involved in the evacuation exercise.
It said, “The ministry appreciates the very positive coordination and collaboration with relevant MDAs in making this process a success, and we will continue to work together for the good of our country.”
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Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians overseas, the ministry added, “The evacuation process clearly underscores the priority accorded to the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas, which remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a core responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It also reflects the Government’s determination to ensure that Nigerians affected by crises abroad receive the necessary support, dignity, and care.
“The lives of Nigerians living abroad matter, and we are trying our best as a Ministry to give them a sense of belonging.”
South Africa has experienced a fresh wave of anti-illegal immigration protests and isolated unrest since around June 30, 2026, particularly in major cities and communities with large migrant populations.
The demonstrations have largely been driven by groups demanding stricter enforcement of immigration laws, arguing that undocumented migrants contribute to rising unemployment, crime and increased pressure on public services.
Although the protests began as organised marches and street demonstrations, reports indicate that they later escalated in some locations, with violent clashes and looting targeting businesses and homes owned by foreign nationals.
South African authorities have maintained that the protests are directed at illegal immigration rather than any particular nationality.
However, citizens of several African countries have been caught up in the unrest, prompting diplomatic missions to step up evacuation efforts.
The latest tensions have also reignited concerns over recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa, which has resurfaced at different times over the past decade, often during periods of economic hardship and intensified political debate over immigration.