The Federal Government has successfully evacuated 593 Nigerian nationals from South Africa following a wave of xenophobic protests.

In an official briefing on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the repatriated citizens have arrived safely in Lagos and are currently undergoing profiling and documentation by relevant state agencies.

The emergency operation underscores a core pillar of Nigeria's foreign policy, which prioritizes the safety, dignity, and protection of its citizens abroad during international crises.

?Despite encountering initial logistical bottlenecks, the Ministry has successfully coordinated multiple flights to bring citizens home through a mix of government charters and private goodwill.

The first wave arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on June 11, 2026, carrying 258 returnees aboard a special Air Peace flight, where they were officially received by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye.

Later in the month, when logistical delays forced some citizens to take temporary shelter at the High Commission in Pretoria, a generous Nigerian citizen stepped in to personally fund South African Airways tickets for 66 stranded nationals, who landed on June 24.

This was followed by a second official evacuation flight on Tuesday, June 30, which brought home an additional 269 returnees, closing out the current cumulative total of 593.

?The government's rescue mission is accelerating, with three additional flights scheduled over the coming days to repatriate approximately 700 more screened and cleared Nigerians who voluntarily registered for evacuation.

The immediate next phase is already in motion, as a third batch of 271 returnees is scheduled to touch down at MMIA in Lagos on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 5:30 AM.

?The Ministry also used the briefing to forcefully push back against viral rumors alleging that embassy officials in South Africa were demanding bribes to enlist citizens for the flights.

Ministry Spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa labeled the allegations as outright fake news and discarded them entirely, reiterating that the federal government is fully footing the bill.

Ebienfa emphasized that all special evacuation flights are provided at no cost to the returnees, adding that the lives of Nigerians living abroad matter and the Ministry remains determined to ensure they receive necessary support and care.