The Federal Government has announced the final phase of its evacuation exercise for Nigerian nationals in South Africa, warning that there are no signs the xenophobic attacks are improving
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed the development on Monday through her verified social media platforms.
According to the minister, the Federal Government is making final arrangements to evacuate the fourth batch of Nigerian citizens and has issued a last call for Nigerians yet to register for the ongoing documentation process ahead of their safe return.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria remains deeply concerned about the safety of its citizens following renewed xenophobic protests and attacks targeting migrants, which has so far claimed the lives of two Nigerians, identified as Musa Joe and Charles Iroegbu.
She called on South African authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the killings and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
“We demand that South African authorities urgently investigate the incidents and bring those responsible to justice,” she said.
The minister urged Nigerians who believe their lives are at risk to take advantage of the Federal Government-sponsored evacuation flights.
“We are urging our citizens who consider their lives at risk to take advantage of the Federal Government’s sponsored evacuation flights to be transported home. There are no signs that the situation is improving,” she stated.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further revealed that President Bola Tinubu approved an extension of the evacuation exercise beyond the initial June 30 deadline to allow more Nigerians to return safely.
She noted that the fourth evacuation flight landed in Nigeria on July 3, 2026, following three earlier evacuation operations, while another flight is scheduled to depart for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, to bring home more citizens.
According to the minister, the final evacuation flight is expected to arrive in South Africa on July 10.
She advised Nigerians still residing in South Africa to carefully assess the risks of remaining in the country and make use of the available opportunity to return home safely.
“They should note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but not lives lost,” she warned.