FG EVACUATES 111 MORE NIGERIANS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The Federal Government has taken another group of 111 Nigerian citizens who were in trouble back to Nigeria from South Africa.This happened because there were worries about attacks against people from other countries in South Africa. The group included 44 men, 23 women, and 44 children.
They came back to Lagos on Thursday, October 8, 2026, on a flight operated by South African Airways, flight number SA060.
This information was shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The statement was signed by their spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Sunday.
The ministry said that officials from several government agencies were there to welcome the returnees. These agencies include the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the National Emergency Management Agency, and other relevant departments in the federal government.
According to the statement, the evacuation was fully funded by the $265,854 donation made by the Redeemed Christian Church of God to support the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
“The arrival of the returnees brings the total number of consular evacuations conducted from South Africa to fifteen (15) since the commencement of the ongoing evacuation exercise on 10th June, 2026,” the statement said.
It added that the latest evacuation brought the cumulative number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to 2,037, including 1,388 whose repatriation costs were fully covered by the Federal Government.
It said, “With the successful evacuation of this RCCG-funded batch, a total of 318 Nigerian nationals have had their one-way tickets funded by the Church. Therefore, 182 more nationals are expected to be repatriated under RCCG’s commitment to fund 500 one-way tickets.”
The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the RCCG, under the leadership of its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its financial support towards the evacuation of distressed Nigerians.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to engaging the South African authorities and other stakeholders to address xenophobia and Afrophobia in the country.
“The Federal Government remains committed to engaging relevant stakeholders, including authorities of South Africa, to address Xenophobia and Afrophobia in the country, and promote the welfare, safety and dignity of Nigerians residing there,” the statement added.
The ministry advised Nigerians living in South Africa to comply with local laws, remain vigilant and prioritise their safety.
It urged them to maintain contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg for consular assistance whenever necessary.
“The Federal Government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing timely consular support to Nigerians in the diaspora and safeguarding their welfare and well-being,” the statement read.
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