Nigeria Evacuates 258 Citizens from South Africa Amid Attacks

On Thursday, 258 Nigerians were evacuated from South Africa and arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard a special Air Peace flight. This evacuation was prompted by a wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.

The Nigerian government, represented by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sola Enikanolaiy, coordinated the operation, which included the Nigerian mission in South Africa led by Acting High Commissioner Temitop Ajayi. Enikanolaiy conveyed a message of solidarity from President Bola Tinubu, assuring the evacuees that the federal government prioritizes their safety and dignity.

The minister stated that the evacuation reflects Nigeria's commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and that further evacuation flights are expected. He urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain vigilant and report any security concerns.

The government is actively engaging with South African authorities to ensure the safety of Nigerians and is providing support services for the returnees, including medical screenings and temporary accommodation.