Another 111 Nigerians Return From South Africa as Evacuation Total Reaches 2,037

Nigeria has received another 111 citizens evacuated from South Africa as the government continues assisting people seeking to leave amid concerns about xenophobic and Afrophobic violence.

The latest group consisted of 44 men, 23 women and 44 children. They arrived in Lagos on Thursday, October 8, 2026, aboard South African Airways flight SA060, according to information released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.

Ministry spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi said officials from several federal agencies were present to receive the returnees. Those involved included the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, National Emergency Management Agency and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, alongside other government bodies participating in the exercise.

Funding for this particular flight came from a $265,854 contribution by the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The church committed the money toward one-way travel for 500 Nigerians seeking evacuation from South Africa. The ministry said 318 people have now returned through that arrangement, leaving another 182 covered by the commitment and still expected to travel.

The government said Thursday's arrival marked the 15th consular evacuation since the current exercise began on June 10. Across all of those operations, 2,037 Nigerians have been brought back from South Africa. Of that total, the Federal Government directly paid the repatriation expenses of 1,388 people, according to the ministry's figures.

Authorities also thanked RCCG and its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for supporting the evacuation programme. The church's contribution has allowed part of the operation to continue without all flight costs being borne directly by the government.

Beyond the evacuations, the ministry said Nigeria would continue discussions with South African authorities and other relevant parties over attacks targeting foreigners and Africans. The government presented those engagements as part of its effort to protect Nigerian citizens and address concerns about their safety and treatment while living in South Africa.

Nigerians who remain in the country were advised to observe South African laws, stay alert to their surroundings and make personal safety a priority. The ministry also encouraged them to remain in contact with Nigeria's diplomatic missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg whenever they require consular help.

The latest return therefore increases both the number of Nigerians assisted under the continuing evacuation programme and the number benefiting from the church-funded travel arrangement. The source does not state when the remaining 182 people covered by RCCG's commitment will be flown back.