The Federal Government has announced that another batch of Nigerians will be evacuated from South Africa on Tuesday as authorities continue efforts to bring home citizens affected by the renewed wave of xenophobic attacks.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this in a statement posted on her official X account on Monday.
“Another evacuation flight will leave for Johannesburg tomorrow, Tuesday, 7th July, to bring home our citizens,” the minister wrote.
The latest flight forms part of the Federal Government’s ongoing evacuation exercise aimed at ensuring the safety of Nigerians in South Africa.
According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, three batches of Nigerians have already been repatriated since the exercise began last month, while the final evacuation flight is expected to depart South Africa on July 10.
“Our nationals are again advised to weigh the risks regarding whether to remain or return,” she said.
She urged Nigerians who believe their lives are at risk to take advantage of the government-sponsored evacuation programme.
“Following the earlier evacuations of our citizens in three separate operations, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, extended the evacuation beyond the June 30 deadline, with the fourth evacuation flight arriving in Nigeria on July 3, 2026.
“Our citizens are strongly advised to take advantage of this extension and utilise the full capacity of the aircraft,” the minister added.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also condemned the killing of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, during the recent attacks, calling on South African authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
“There are no signs that the situation is improving,” she said.
“Nigeria remains concerned about the safety of its citizens in South Africa as a result of the ongoing xenophobic protests and attacks on migrants, particularly following the deaths of two Nigerians during these unfortunate events.”
She urged Nigerians still undecided about returning home to prioritise their safety.
“For many still sitting on the fence, they should note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but lives cannot,” she stated.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad and will continue to take all necessary measures to protect them,” she said.
The renewed violence has prompted several African countries to evacuate their citizens from South Africa after anti-immigration groups demanded that undocumented migrants leave the country by June 30, triggering protests and clashes that have claimed the lives of several foreign nationals.
According to South Africa’s Border Management Authority, more than 35,000 people have been repatriated or deported since June 7.
The groups behind the campaign blame illegal immigration for unemployment and poor public services, although analysts argue that the country’s socio-economic challenges stem largely from governance and structural issues.
On Sunday, the Nigerian government warned that it could take diplomatic action against South Africa if the attacks on Nigerians and their investments continue, declaring that “all options are on the table.”
