700 Nigerians Stranded in South Africa as Evacuation Delays Persist
More than 700 Nigerians stranded South Africa remain unable to return home just days before the June 30 deadline issued by anti-immigration groups, despite President Bola Tinubu approving funds for their evacuation.
The delay has been linked to administrative and payment bottlenecks that have prevented the approved funds from reaching Air Peace, the airline expected to transport the remaining evacuees. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa said the payment delay has stalled rescue operations and left hundreds of Nigerians exposed to growing xenophobic violence.
According to government sources, more than 1,000 Nigerians registered for voluntary evacuation after anti-foreigner attacks intensified across South Africa. So far, only 324 citizens have returned home. The first batch of 258 Nigerians arrived in Lagos aboard Air Peace on June 11, while another 66 evacuees returned on June 24 through a privately sponsored ValueJet arrangement.
Officials disclosed that Air Peace had planned to operate four additional evacuation flights using its Boeing 777 aircraft but declined to continue the operation until payment was confirmed. As a result, dozens of Nigerians who had already gathered at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria ahead of a scheduled flight were forced to return after the mission was cancelled.
A senior Foreign Affairs official explained that although President Tinubu approved the funding more than two weeks ago, the administrative process required to release the money has not been completed. The official expressed optimism that the payment issue could be resolved before the next planned evacuation flight.
NiDCOM also confirmed that logistical challenges, including aircraft availability and delayed payments, have slowed the evacuation exercise but maintained that the Federal Government remains committed to bringing all registered Nigerians home safely.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, revealed that more than 20 Nigerians have died since late 2025 following renewed xenophobic attacks. According to him, some victims were killed during violent attacks, while others died from shock after their homes or businesses were destroyed.
He added that many Nigerians have suffered assaults, public humiliation, forced displacement, looting and the destruction of their businesses in cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town, East London and KwaZulu-Natal.
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Union South Africa, Akin Olunloyo, described the atmosphere as extremely tense, saying many Nigerians now live in fear as the June 30 deadline approaches. He noted that anti-immigration groups continue to organise marches, protests and social media campaigns calling for foreigners to leave the country.
Several Nigerian residents also reported that they have remained indoors for weeks because of fears of attacks and police raids. Some business owners said they had suffered heavy financial losses after being unable to operate their shops for nearly a month.
The renewed xenophobic tensions have been fuelled by anti-immigration groups such as Operation Dudula and March and March, alongside growing political rhetoric accusing foreign nationals of taking jobs and placing pressure on public services.
Read also:
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Despite the challenges, the Nigerian High Commission has assured affected citizens that evacuation flights will resume as soon as the outstanding logistical and technical issues are resolved. The mission urged all screened Nigerians to remain on standby and wait for official notification before travelling to the High Commission.
The High Commission also confirmed that it has formally requested the South African authorities to provide adequate protection for Nigerian citizens before, during and after the June 30 deadline while diplomatic efforts continue to ensure their safety.
