The Federal Government has evacuated another 111 Nigerians from South Africa amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, bringing the total number of returnees under the ongoing exercise to 2,037.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
The returnees arrived in Lagos on October 8 aboard South African Airways flight SA060. They comprised 44 men, 23 women and 44 children.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant government agencies received them on arrival.
The latest evacuation was funded through a $265,854 donation by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to support the return of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
Reacting to the arrival of the latest batch, RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, said the church would continue supporting the exercise until all 500 Nigerians covered by its commitment had returned home.
“Batch three is home. 111 Nigerians have landed safely in Lagos, and the journey is far from over. With the support of RCCG, more of our people are on their way back, one batch at a time, until every one of the 500 is home,” Adeboye said.
The latest arrival brings the number of Nigerians whose one-way tickets have been funded by RCCG to 318, leaving 182 tickets under the church’s commitment.
Of the 2,037 Nigerians evacuated so far, 1,388 had their repatriation costs fully covered by the Federal Government, according to the ministry. The exercise has involved 15 consular evacuations since it began on June 10, 2026.
The ministry said the government would continue engaging relevant stakeholders, including South African authorities, to address xenophobia and Afrophobia and promote the safety and welfare of Nigerians living in the country.
It also advised Nigerians in South Africa to comply with local laws, remain vigilant and maintain contact with Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg for consular assistance.
