More than 700 Nigerians remain stranded in South Africa as the June 30 deadline issued by anti-immigration groups approaches, with delays in the Federal Government’s evacuation plan leaving many exposed to growing xenophobic threats.
Findings showed that although President Bola Tinubu approved funds for four additional evacuation flights following the successful return of the first batch of evacuees, administrative delays have reportedly stalled the release of the money, preventing the operation from continuing.
Sources within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria disclosed that the designated carrier, Air Peace, had yet to receive payment and was unwilling to deploy aircraft until the funds were confirmed.
The development has heightened anxiety among stranded Nigerians as anti-foreigner sentiments continue to escalate across parts of South Africa.
The President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, said over 20 Nigerians had lost their lives since the resurgence of xenophobic attacks, while many others had been assaulted, displaced or forced to abandon their businesses.
According to officials, more than 1,000 Nigerians registered with the Federal Government for voluntary evacuation. However, only 324 have returned home so far, leaving over 700 people awaiting evacuation.
The first batch of 258 evacuees arrived in Lagos on June 11 aboard an Air Peace flight, while another 66 returned on June 24 through a humanitarian intervention sponsored by ValueJet Chairman, Kunle Soname.
Receiving the latest batch, the Coordinator of the Lagos Liaison Office of NiDCOM, Dipo Odebowale, who represented the commission’s Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended President Tinubu for supporting the evacuation exercise and assured that efforts were ongoing to return all registered Nigerians safely.
Sources familiar with the operation said Air Peace had planned to deploy its Boeing 777 aircraft for four separate evacuation flights but suspended the exercise pending confirmation of payment.
An aviation industry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the delay to unresolved payment issues, adding that ValueJet only stepped in after discussions with Air Peace stalled.
According to another official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the second evacuation flight was initially scheduled to depart Johannesburg earlier in the week, with stranded Nigerians already directed to report to the Nigerian High Commission before the flight was later cancelled.
The official explained that some of the affected Nigerians had nowhere to return and were temporarily accommodated and fed at the High Commission while awaiting further arrangements.
He expressed optimism that the payment process would soon be concluded, allowing the remaining evacuation flights to commence.
A NiDCOM official also attributed the delay to logistical challenges, including the availability of aircraft, while reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to evacuating all registered Nigerians.
Efforts to obtain reactions from Air Peace and ValueJet were unsuccessful as calls and messages to their spokespersons were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.
Renewed xenophobic tensions
Anti-immigration protests have intensified across South Africa since late April, with foreign nationals increasingly accused of taking jobs and placing pressure on public services.
Political groups, including ActionSA, the Patriotic Alliance and uMkhonto we Sizwe, have continued to push anti-immigration campaigns, while organisations such as Operation Dudula and March and March have repeatedly demanded that undocumented migrants leave the country before June 30.
The campaigns have triggered violent attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians, with reports of assaults, forced evictions, destruction of businesses and public intimidation.
Videos circulating on social media have also shown anti-immigration demonstrations in several cities, further raising concerns among migrant communities.
‘Over 20 Nigerians have died’
Speaking on the situation, Onyekwelu said more than 20 Nigerians had died between late 2025 and June 2026 as a result of xenophobic violence and its aftermath.
According to him, while some victims were allegedly killed extrajudicially, others died from trauma after their businesses were looted or destroyed.
He added that Nigerians had suffered attacks in cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town, East London and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, insisting that the incidents were supported by documented evidence from community leaders.
Fear grips Nigerians
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Union South Africa, Akin Olunloyo, described the atmosphere as tense, saying many Nigerians now live in fear as the June 30 deadline approaches.
He said harassment, intimidation, physical assaults, forced evictions and destruction of property had become increasingly common, with even legally resident migrants feeling unsafe.
According to him, many Nigerians have decided to leave the country rather than risk becoming victims of violence.
A Nigerian trader based in Johannesburg, Eniola Bayewunmi, also narrated her ordeal, claiming she had lost over N15 million after being unable to operate her business for about a month.
She alleged that anti-immigration protesters, with the backing of security operatives, had carried out raids on homes occupied by foreigners and demanded immigration documents.
FG assures evacuees
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has assured stranded Nigerians that the evacuation exercise will resume once the remaining logistical arrangements are completed.
In a statement issued by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the mission said the temporary suspension of the voluntary repatriation programme was caused by technical and logistical issues, which had now been resolved.
The High Commission urged all screened Nigerians to remain on standby, assuring them that they would be contacted individually once flight schedules were finalised.
It also advised those awaiting evacuation not to report to the High Commission with their belongings unless officially invited, to avoid unnecessary hardship.
The mission further disclosed that it had formally requested the South African authorities to provide adequate security for Nigerian nationals before, during and after the June 30 deadline, while urging citizens to remain law-abiding, united and vigilant.
