Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu warns Nigerians to prioritise safety as fresh evacuation flight departs amid renewed anti-migrant violence in South Africa
By A1NEWS International
ABUJA, Nigeria — July 6, 2026
The Federal Government has announced that another batch of Nigerians stranded in South Africa will be evacuated on Tuesday as authorities intensify efforts to protect citizens caught up in a renewed wave of xenophobic violence.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed the development on Monday, warning Nigerians to carefully assess the security situation and take advantage of government-sponsored evacuation flights if they believe their lives are at risk.
The latest operation comes as anti-migrant protests continue to spread across parts of South Africa, with reports of killings, property destruction and attacks targeting foreign nationals.
Another Evacuation Flight Scheduled
In a statement posted on her official X handle, the minister confirmed that a new evacuation flight would depart for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7.
“Another evacuation flight will leave for Johannesburg tomorrow, Tuesday, 7th July, to bring home our citizens,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated.
The evacuation forms part of an ongoing repatriation programme approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after violence against migrants escalated in several South African communities.
Tinubu Extends Evacuation Deadline
The minister revealed that President Tinubu had extended the evacuation programme beyond its initial June 30 deadline in response to the deteriorating security situation.
According to her, three batches of Nigerians had already returned home before the latest extension, while a fourth evacuation flight arrived in Nigeria on July 3.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended the evacuations beyond the June 30 deadline, with the fourth evacuation flight having arrived in Nigeria on 3rd July 2026,” she said.
She added that the final evacuation flight is expected to depart South Africa on July 10, urging Nigerians to utilise the available capacity.
FG Warns Nigerians to Prioritise Safety
Odumegwu-Ojukwu advised Nigerians still residing in South Africa to make realistic assessments of the risks facing them.
“Our nationals are again advised to weigh the risks regarding whether to remain or return,” she said.
The minister stressed that material losses can be replaced, but lives cannot.
“For many still sitting on the fence, they should do well to note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but not lives lost,” she warned.
Two Nigerians Killed Amid Renewed Violence
The Federal Government also condemned the killing of two Nigerians identified as Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, who reportedly died during the recent attacks.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu called on South African authorities to conduct urgent investigations and prosecute those responsible.
“There are no signs that the situation is improving,” she said.
“Nigeria remains concerned about the safety of its citizens in South Africa as a result of the ongoing xenophobic protests and attacks on migrants, and even more so following the deaths of two Nigerians during these unfortunate events.”
Thousands Already Repatriated
The renewed xenophobic campaign has triggered evacuations by several African governments.
South Africa’s Border Management Authority says more than 35,000 people have been repatriated or deported since June 7.
Fringe groups leading the anti-immigrant protests have demanded that undocumented migrants leave the country, blaming them for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.
However, analysts argue that many of South Africa’s socio-economic problems stem from governance failures rather than the presence of foreign nationals.
Diplomatic Tensions Rising
The crisis has begun to strain diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa.
On Sunday, Nigerian authorities warned that “all options are on the table” if attacks against Nigerians and their businesses continue.
While Abuja has not specified possible retaliatory measures, diplomatic observers say the statement reflects growing frustration over repeated episodes of xenophobic violence affecting Nigerian citizens in South Africa.
As another evacuation flight prepares to leave Johannesburg on Tuesday, the Federal Government has intensified its appeal for Nigerians in South Africa to prioritise their personal safety.
With reports of fresh attacks continuing to emerge and diplomatic tensions rising, the coming days are likely to test both Nigeria’s evacuation capacity and South Africa’s ability to restore order and protect foreign nationals within its borders.
The Federal Government has maintained that it will continue taking “all necessary measures” to safeguard Nigerians abroad while closely monitoring developments in South Africa.
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