South Africa Begins Repatriation of 586 Nigerians
South Africa has initiated the repatriation of 586 Nigerian nationals who were found to be residing in the country illegally. The first batch of 258 returnees arrived in Lagos on Thursday, marking the beginning of a significant effort to address concerns over xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Department of Home Affairs confirmed that the first repatriation flight departed on June 11, 2026, carrying 268 individuals back to Nigeria. A second flight is scheduled for June 15, 2026, to transport the remaining individuals from the group of 586 processed for repatriation.
The statement emphasized that all those processed for repatriation were issued emergency travel documents by the Nigerian High Commission to facilitate their departure from South Africa and return to Nigeria. It also noted that, under the country’s Immigration Act, these individuals have been declared undesirable persons and will be barred from re-entering South Africa for five years.
The department expressed gratitude to the Nigerian High Commission for its cooperation throughout the documentation and repatriation process. It reminded foreign nationals residing in South Africa that they must possess valid visas or other legal authorisations to remain in the country and ensure their immigration status complies with South African laws at all times.
Government Commitment to Immigration Enforcement
South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, commented on the exercise, stating that the government remains committed to enforcing immigration laws and restoring the rule of law. He highlighted that ongoing orderly and lawful deportations and repatriations have increased by 46 per cent over the past two years.
Schreiber added that the government’s broader reform agenda would further strengthen immigration enforcement and identity management systems. This includes the scale-up of the Electronic Travel Authorisation to record biometrics for every foreigner entering the country, the replacement of the fraud-prone green ID book with smart ID cards through a digital partnership with banks, and the introduction of a cutting-edge digital identity system.
He urged the public to avoid violence and not take the law into their own hands, emphasizing the importance of following legal procedures.
Arrival in Lagos and Government Response
The first batch of 258 Nigerians arrived in Lagos on Thursday, landing at the International Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard a special Air Peace flight at around 10:31 am. They were received by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, along with other government officials.
The returnees, many of whom left behind businesses, jobs, and personal belongings, were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa led by Temitope Alexander Ajayi. Upon arrival, the returnees commenced documentation, immigration clearance, profiling, and medical screening procedures, while authorities arranged temporary accommodation and support services ahead of their reunions with family members.
Federal Government’s Role and Future Efforts
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, described the evacuation as a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare and safety of Nigerians abroad. He stated that the Federal Government of Nigeria will not stand idly by while its citizens are subjected to attacks and harassment, wherever they may be in the world.
Enikanolaiye commended the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for coordinating the operation and urged Nigerians residing in South Africa to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and promptly report threats to the mission. He also disclosed that the Federal Government was engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels to ensure the protection of Nigerian nationals and address the underlying causes of the attacks.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the evacuation was carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and several agencies, including the Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs, Aviation, and Health, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and security agencies. The ministry explained that the operation underscored the government’s determination to protect Nigerian citizens and uphold their dignity in the face of violence and intolerance.
Additional evacuation flights are expected in the coming days as authorities continue efforts to assist Nigerians affected by the xenophobic attacks, offering a lifeline to many who returned home seeking safety after weeks of fear and uncertainty in South Africa.
