Nigerian Government Evacuates 111 Citizens from South Africa

The Nigerian federal government has evacuated another 111 citizens from South Africa amid ongoing anti-immigrant violence, bringing the total number of repatriated Nigerians to 2,037 since the latest evacuation exercise began on June 10. The latest group included 44 men, 23 women, and 44 children, arriving in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 on October 8.

This operation was funded by a $265,854 donation from the Redeemed Christian Church of God, which aims to assist 500 distressed Nigerians. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi, confirmed that the returnees were welcomed by officials from various government agencies.

Of the 2,037 evacuated, 1,388 had their repatriation costs covered by the federal government. The evacuation comes amid renewed anti-immigrant protests in South Africa, where violence erupted in Johannesburg and Durban, leading to looting and destruction.

This situation has raised concerns about the safety of foreign nationals and strained diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa.