Twelve Nigerians stranded in South Africa amid recent xenophobic tensions have returned home after the Group of Nigerian Professionals Johannesburg (GNPJ) funded their flights.
The returnees, 10 adults and two children from Ogun, Anambra, Ondo, Imo, Edo and Oyo states missed the last Federal Government-sponsored evacuation flight.
They arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, September 11, thanking Mr C. Darl Uzu and the GNPJ for the intervention.
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She also commended individuals, associations and religious bodies supporting Nigerians affected by the unrest, and urged state governments to assist their indigenes still facing difficulties in South Africa.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Foreign Affairs Ministry, through Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg, remained committed to facilitating the safe and dignified return of stranded Nigerians.
The intervention comes amid a wider evacuation programme triggered by renewed xenophobic attacks. In August, 83 Nigerians also returned to Lagos after private individuals funded their travel.
The continuing violence has strained Nigeria-South Africa relations, with the National Assembly on Friday suspending official visits and legislative engagements with South Africa over attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals.