Following Recent Attacks in South Africa, Over 130 Nigerians Have Reportedly Applied for Evacuation

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The Nigerian government has officially announced plans to evacuate citizens from South Africa following a violent resurgence of xenophobic attacks and anti foreigner protests. 

According to reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at least 130 Nigerians have already registered for voluntary repatriation as of May 2026. 

The surge in applications comes amid a climate of intense fear, with many Nigerians forced to shut down their businesses and remain indoors to escape organized mobs targeting foreign nationals in major cities like Durban and Johannesburg.

The situation escalated after several reports of harassment, looting, and at least two confirmed fatalities involving Nigerian citizens. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, emphasized that the safety of Nigerians remains the government's top priority, stating that Nigeria cannot stand by and watch the systematic harassment and humiliation of its people. 

This proactive stance marks a significant shift in diplomatic strategy, as the Federal Government has moved beyond mere condemnation to establishing a dedicated Crisis Notification Unit in its South African missions.

Diplomatic tensions between Abuja and Pretoria have tightened as Nigerian authorities demand a thorough and transparent investigation into the violence. The Nigerian government has also called for the release of autopsy reports and case files related to the extra-judicial killings of its nationals. 

During high level telephone conversations, South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Ronald Lamola, expressed concern over the planned evacuation while assuring that security forces are working to de-escalate the unrest, which has been fueled by anti migrant rhetoric from local political groups.

A particularly disturbing trend in this latest wave of hostility is the reported bullying and harassment of Nigerian children in South African schools. Reports indicate that students are being taunted and told to return to their country, a development the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described as reprehensible and psychologically damaging. 

This extension of hostility into the educational sector has added a layer of urgency to the evacuation requests, as families seek to protect their children from a growing culture of Afriphobia.

As the first batch of voluntary evacuees prepares to depart via free repatriation flights coordinated by the Nigerian Consulate and the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), the international community is watching closely. 

While South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the violence, the recurring nature of these attacks has led Nigerian lawmakers to call for more drastic measures, including potential economic retaliation. For now, the focus remains on the safe return of those 130 citizens who have chosen to leave their lives in South Africa behind for the safety of home.


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