[UPDATED] FG Brings Home Fourth Batch of Nigerians From South Africa, Promises Compensation Pursuit

Nigeria on Friday received another batch of citizens evacuated from South Africa as the Federal Government intensified efforts to bring home Nigerians affected by the latest wave of anti-migrant violence in the Southern African country.

The Air Peace evacuation flight, conveying the fourth batch of returnees, landed safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with 268 Nigerian returnees, alongside two officials and crew members, on board.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, disclosed that the special charter flight departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 5:36 a.m, adding that the evacuation was carried out on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

According to the minister, the President ordered that the evacuation should continue despite the expiration of the June 30 deadline earlier issued by anti-migrant groups and vigilante organisations demanding that undocumented foreigners leave South Africa.

She noted that before Friday's operation, the Federal Government had already evacuated three batches of Nigerians, amounting to almost 600 citizens, bringing the total number of returnees evacuated so far to nearly 900.

"The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has directed that the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa at risk as a result of the ongoing xenophobic protests and attacks continues, even after the deadline of June 30, 2026, issued by South African anti-migrant groups and vigilantes," Ojukwu said.

She explained that the evacuation exercise remains voluntary and is limited to Nigerians who registered, were screened and cleared for repatriation.

"The evacuations remain ongoing. The Federal Government is committed to bringing home safely our nationals who voluntarily registered to be evacuated and have been duly screened and cleared.

"Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in adherence to that unbreakable bond between citizen and state, remains dedicated to this mandate," she added.

The minister reaffirmed that the protection of Nigerians abroad remains a central priority of the Tinubu administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that the government would continue to uphold the dignity and welfare of its citizens wherever they reside.

Anti-Migrant Violence

The latest evacuation comes after weeks of growing hostility towards foreign nationals in South Africa, culminating in nationwide demonstrations on June 30, when thousands of protesters marched in several cities demanding the removal of undocumented migrants.

Although police maintained a heavy security presence during the demonstrations, there were isolated incidents of violence, including looting, stone-throwing and confrontations between protesters and foreign nationals.

In Johannesburg, security operatives escorted some migrants away from angry crowds armed with sticks, while protesters threw stones at buildings they believed housed undocumented foreigners.

Similar demonstrations were recorded in Durban, where some protesters marched in traditional Zulu warrior attire carrying spears, shields and whips, while a smaller protest took place in Cape Town alongside a counter-demonstration against xenophobia.

Authorities have confirmed that at least four people, two Mozambicans, one Ethiopian and one Malawian have been killed in the latest wave of anti-immigrant violence.

South Africa, despite being one of Africa's largest economies, continues to struggle with unemployment exceeding 30 per cent, rising crime and deteriorating public services. Anti-immigrant groups have blamed undocumented migrants for worsening economic conditions, although analysts argue that foreign nationals are being unfairly scapegoated for broader governance challenges.

FG Moves To Seek Compensation

Meanwhile, the Federal Government says its intervention will not end with evacuating Nigerians back home.

Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, disclosed that the government has begun documenting businesses, homes, vehicles and other assets abandoned by returning Nigerians with a view to seeking compensation from the South African government.

According to him, returnees have been instructed to provide accurate details of properties they were forced to leave behind.

Ajayi said the information would form the basis of diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to pursue compensation for Nigerians whose investments and livelihoods were lost as a result of the violence.

He stressed that the government would not allow years of investment by affected Nigerians to be wiped out without pursuing appropriate remedies through diplomatic channels.