Xenophobia: Between 700 And 1,000 More Nigerians To Be Evacuated From South Africa – NIDCOM
By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Between 700 and 1,000 more Nigerians face evacuation from South Africa due to xenophobic violence, even as the Federal Government begins reintegrating the first wave of returnees.
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa disclosed this on Thursday evening in an interview on Channels TV, monitored by Persecondnews.
“We are glad this first batch are home. We’re going to have another batch coming in, I think three to five batches. Let them come back home. Let us ensure that they are taken care of when they come back home,” she said.
Persecondnews had reported that the first batch of 258 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived in Lagos on Thursday morning, June 11, 2026.
The evacuees were airlifted to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) aboard a special Air Peace flight.
The operation was launched by the federal government following a recent wave of anti-immigration demonstrations and xenophobic unrest in South Africa.
They were escorted home by officials from the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, led by the Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Temitope Alexander Ajayi, and received upon arrival by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
Dabiri-Erewa described the condition of many of the returnees as heartbreaking, noting that several of them were forced to abandon businesses, homes and investments built over many years.
According to her, the victims were targeted despite not being involved in any criminal activity.
“None of these people that came back committed any crime. The only crime they committed is the colour of their skin. They are black migrants in South Africa,” she said.
She explained that attention has now shifted from evacuation to helping the returnees rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
As part of the reintegration effort, she said several government agencies and private organisations had stepped in with immediate support packages for the evacuees.
“NIMC was on ground to provide identification for them, MTN gave N100,000 to each returnee and N50,000 airtime, while another private organisation also provided support. Governor Hope Uzodimma gave N1 million each to the Imo indigenes among them,” she noted.
Dabiri-Erewa added that relevant agencies are profiling the returnees to identify their skills and determine the kind of assistance they require.
She said the Refugee Commission had already begun engaging the returnees on possible areas of support, including business restart opportunities and vocational assistance.
“When the Refugee Commission is asking, ‘What are your skills? What can you do?’ that is the next stage. We want to ensure that by the time we see them again, they will be telling good stories,” she said.
On the recurring attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, Dabiri-Erewa said the issue should no longer be viewed as a bilateral dispute but as a challenge confronting the African continent.
She warned that hostility toward fellow Africans undermines the spirit of regional integration and unity.
“Africa as a continent needs to look at this because it is not just Nigerians. We have a larger number because of our population, but this hostility towards fellow Africans must stop,” she emphasized.
While acknowledging ongoing diplomatic engagement between both countries, the NIDCOM boss expressed frustration over the repeated attacks and the slow pace of solutions.
“Enough is enough. Enough really has to be enough,” she said.
She also urged Nigerians at home and abroad to help project a positive image of the country by highlighting success stories and upholding values that reflect well on the nation.
“We have to celebrate the best of who we are as Nigerians. Let us stop condemning ourselves and start telling our own stories,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
The NIDCOM chairman maintained that although government would continue to protect Nigerians abroad, citizens also have a responsibility to conduct themselves properly and contribute to improving the country’s reputation globally.