Nigeria: 269 South African citizens evacuated as anti-foreigner protests escalate
Nigeria – Boubacar Sani
The Nigerian federal government has stepped up efforts to evacuate its citizens from South Africa following renewed anti-foreigner protests that have forced hundreds to seek refuge at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, while another 269 people arrived in Lagos on Tuesday on an Air Peace evacuation flight.
This evacuation comes amid escalating anti-immigrant protests across South Africa, where demonstrators have demanded the deportation of foreigners without legal residency documents.
The Nigerian government confirms that it plans to operate more evacuation flights, while diplomatic efforts continue to ensure the safety of Nigerians residing in the country.
Evacuation of 269 citizens as part of the voluntary return program
Authorities confirmed that the 269 people evacuated are part of an ongoing voluntary return program, bringing the total number of Nigerians evacuated in recent weeks to 335, following a previous batch of 66 returnees.
The crisis was further exacerbated by reports of attacks targeting Nigerians, including the killing of a Nigerian businessman known as “Big Joe” in Mpumalanga province. Nigerian officials have called for thorough investigations into the recent deaths of Nigerian citizens.
The Nigerian High Commission revealed that approximately 700 Nigerians have expressed their desire to return home, while hundreds remain stranded awaiting evacuation. Civil society organizations and the diplomatic mission are working to provide temporary shelter, food, and humanitarian aid to the affected citizens.
Legal residents deserve protection
President Cyril Ramaphosa called for calm, stressing that legally resident foreigners deserve constitutional protection, as security forces were deployed in major cities to prevent violence during anti-immigrant protests.
Meanwhile, Nigerian diplomats, community leaders, and former ambassadors urged the federal government to intensify diplomatic pressure on South Africa, accelerate evacuations, and seek long-term solutions to the recurring xenophobic attacks.
The National Association of University Students also warned that it would organize nationwide protests and take further action against South African interests in Nigeria if the authorities failed to protect Nigerians within one week.
