Xenophobic attacks: 83 more Nigerians return from South Africa

Eighty-three Nigerians have returned to the country from South Africa amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.

The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the development in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

Returnees arrive in Lagos

According to the ministry, the Nigerians were accompanied on the flight by two officials from the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Johannesburg.

The repatriation was facilitated through the procurement of flight tickets by private individuals who supported the exercise and enabled the affected Nigerians to return safely.

Upon their arrival in Lagos, the returnees were received by Haruna Ali-Gombe, Director of the African Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The returnees were subsequently handed over to relevant government agencies for documentation and profiling before they would be reunited with their families.

Government commends sponsors

Ebienfa said the Federal Government appreciated the private individuals who sponsored the repatriation exercise, as well as the Nigerian diplomatic mission and other agencies involved in receiving and reintegrating the returnees.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians living abroad and ensuring the safe return of citizens who require assistance.

The ministry also commended officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa for their role in facilitating the exercise.

FG demands action against xenophobia

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has called for urgent and concrete measures to end xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans in South Africa.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call during a virtual roundtable organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.

The discussion was titled, “South Africa’s Xenophobia in Comparative Perspective.”

Enikanolaiye said the situation required stronger migration governance, responsible political leadership and deeper people-to-people relationships across Africa.

He said Nigeria viewed the issue as one that must be addressed without either denying the existence of the problem or exaggerating its scale.

90 Nigerians reportedly killed

The minister expressed concern over the loss of Nigerian lives, saying at least 90 Nigerians had been killed in Afrophobic violence in South Africa since June 2022.

He added that fresh attacks and displacement had also been recorded in 2026.

Enikanolaiye described the violence as particularly African, post-colonial and post-apartheid in character, saying the term Afrophobia was therefore more appropriate in describing the attacks.

He criticised the targeting of citizens from countries that supported South Africa during its struggle against apartheid.

Nigeria recalls support for South Africa

The minister said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had directed the NIIA to undertake a comprehensive study documenting Nigeria’s contributions to South Africa’s liberation struggle.

According to him, Nigeria’s financial commitment to the struggle exceeded $60 billion, alongside measures such as the nationalisation of British Petroleum, scholarships and hospitality provided to South African leaders in Nigeria.

Enikanolaiye said the historical relationship between Nigeria and South Africa went beyond trade and diplomatic relations.

“There is history in that relationship. There is blood, sacrifice and solidarity in that history,” he said.

Calls for stronger migration policies

The minister urged South African authorities to strengthen migration systems and ensure that immigration laws were enforced solely by the state.

He warned against vigilantism and urged political leaders to avoid inflammatory statements capable of portraying migrants as criminals or job thieves.

According to him, such rhetoric could create an environment in which violence against foreigners thrives.

He also called for public discussions based on facts and reliable data rather than misinformation and social media rumours.

Nigeria seeks early-warning mechanism

Enikanolaiye called for the full activation of existing Nigeria-South Africa early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms to identify tensions and prevent them from escalating into violence.

He also stressed the importance of people-to-people diplomacy, involving businesses, universities, religious and traditional institutions, youth organisations, civil society groups and the media.

He said Nigeria and Ghana would raise the issue at the next session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

The minister said Nigeria would continue working with South Africa, the African Union, ECOWAS and other partners to promote African integration and protect the dignity and safety of Nigerians abroad.