The Federal Government has completed the evacuation of Nigerians stranded in South Africa, bringing home nearly 1,500 citizens as anti-immigrant protests and unrest continue to force thousands of foreign nationals to leave the country.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday that a total of 1,490 Nigerians were airlifted between June 10 and July 15 under a government-coordinated evacuation programme.
Spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the operation had been concluded following the arrival of the final evacuation flight earlier this week.
“It has ended,” Ebienfa said, confirming the completion of the exercise.
The evacuation comes amid growing pressure from anti-immigrant groups in South Africa, which have intensified demands for undocumented foreigners to leave the country. The campaign has triggered weeks of protests, clashes and violence targeting migrants from several African countries.
Foreign nationals from Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Nigeria have been among those returning home under government-assisted repatriation programmes.
South Africa, traditionally a major destination for documented and undocumented migrant workers across the continent, has witnessed widespread demonstrations fuelled by accusations that foreign nationals are taking jobs and straining public resources.
The latest wave of unrest escalated after fringe groups issued a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country, resulting in violent protests that reportedly claimed the lives of at least four foreign nationals.
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Malawi announced earlier this month that it had repatriated about 38,000 citizens within one month, while Zimbabwe said nearly 21,300 of its nationals had returned home.
Uganda also confirmed the evacuation of about 1,100 citizens, with hundreds of Ghanaians, Mozambicans and Kenyans similarly leaving South Africa.
Earlier this month, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, expressed concern over what she described as the deteriorating situation facing foreigners in South Africa.
She urged South African authorities to investigate the deaths of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, who were killed on June 28 during the period of heightened tensions.
South African police, however, maintained that the deaths were not linked to the anti-immigrant protests.
Despite that clarification, South African authorities have continued to face criticism from rights groups and affected communities over allegations that they have not done enough to prevent attacks on migrants and protect foreign-owned businesses, some of which have reportedly been looted and set ablaze.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s position, Ebienfa said the Federal Government strongly condemns xenophobia and all forms of violence against foreign nationals.
“While appreciating the longstanding bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa, the Federal Government reiterates its firm position that all forms of xenophobia, racial intolerance and violence against foreign nationals are unacceptable,” he said.
The ministry added that despite calls from some Nigerian lawmakers for stronger retaliatory measures, the Federal Government would continue to engage the South African government through diplomatic channels in pursuit of a peaceful resolution.