By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its resolve to evacuate more Nigerian nationals from South Africa as xenophobic violence continues to escalate, urging citizens whose lives are under threat to take advantage of the ongoing evacuation exercise.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a statement shared via her verified social media platform on Monday, as she reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and welfare of Nigerians abroad.
She announced that another evacuation flight will depart for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, to bring back more Nigerians, while the final evacuation flight is scheduled to leave South Africa on July 10.
The renewed appeal follows the reported deaths of two Nigerians, Musa Joe and Charles Iroegbu, amid the wave of anti-immigrant protests and attacks spreading across South Africa.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu called on South African authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the incidents and ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.
“We demand that South African authorities urgently investigate the incidents and bring those responsible to justice,” she said.
She also urged Nigerians who believe they are in danger to immediately register for the Federal Government’s sponsored evacuation flights, noting that there are no indications the security situation is improving.
The minister disclosed that President Bola Tinubu approved an extension of the evacuation programme beyond the initial June 30 deadline. She noted that the fourth batch of evacuees arrived in Nigeria on July 3, 2026, after three earlier evacuation operations.
According to her, the extension provides another opportunity for Nigerians still stranded in South Africa to return home safely, adding that the government expects citizens to make full use of the available seats on the evacuation flights.
“Our citizens are again advised to carefully assess the risks of remaining in South Africa and make informed decisions about returning home,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further cautioned against delaying the decision until after the evacuation exercise has ended, stressing that appeals for help after the flights have concluded may come too late.
She emphasised that while damaged property and lost investments can be recovered, lives lost cannot be replaced, urging Nigerians to prioritise their safety above all else.
