Nigeria Rearranges Evacuation Flights After Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa

June 12, 2026 4 min read

Nigeria has rescheduled airlifting operations for citizens seeking to leave South Africa following a wave of xenophobic attacks that have targeted foreign nationals across multiple South African cities. The evacuation effort, coordinated by Nigerian authorities, aims to bring home citizens who feel unsafe amid the escalating violence.

Attacks Spark Mass Exodus

The xenophobic violence erupted in several South African provinces, forcing thousands of foreign nationals, including Nigerians, to flee their homes and businesses. Local media reported that shops owned by foreigners were looted and set ablaze in areas around Johannesburg and Durban. Nigerian consular officials confirmed they were working around the clock to process evacuation requests from affected citizens.

Vanguard News reported that the government initially scheduled airlifting operations for last month but has now pushed back the timeline due to operational challenges. The foreign affairs ministry stated that additional diplomatic arrangements were needed before flights could depart. Families stranded in South Africa have been waiting anxiously for confirmation of new departure dates.

Scale of the Crisis

Consular authorities in South Africa have registered thousands of Nigerians who have expressed interest in returning home. The high demand for evacuation seats has overwhelmed initial capacity estimates, prompting officials to request additional aircraft from national carriers. Nigerian missions in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban have set up emergency help desks to assist citizens with documentation and travel arrangements.

Community leaders in Nigeria told reporters that families back home are deeply worried about relatives caught in the violence. Phone calls from stranded citizens describe scenes of chaos as neighbourhoods descended into lawlessness. The foreign affairs ministry has urged all Nigerians in affected areas to register with consular officials and remain indoors until the situation stabilises.

Diplomatic Fallout

The attacks have strained relations between Nigeria and South Africa at a time when bilateral trade and investment ties remain significant for both economies. Nigerian officials have summoned South Africa's high commissioner to register formal complaints about the safety of Nigerian citizens. South African authorities have deployed military units to hotspot areas in an attempt to restore order, though aid groups report that enforcement remains inconsistent.

The African Union issued a statement calling for an end to violence against foreign nationals and urging South African security forces to protect all residents regardless of nationality. Several African countries have expressed solidarity with Nigeria, with Ghana and Kenya offering to assist with logistics for the evacuation process. The diplomatic pressure comes as South Africa faces criticism for failing to prevent repeated waves of anti-foreigner violence.

Economic Impact on Affected Communities

Nigerian traders and business owners in South Africa have suffered significant losses. Preliminary estimates from community organisations suggest that hundreds of businesses owned by Nigerians have been destroyed or damaged. Insurance claims are expected to run into millions of rands, though many affected business owners say they lack adequate documentation to file successful claims. The destruction has left many citizens with no means of sustaining themselves, making evacuation the only viable option.

Evacuation Logistics

The foreign affairs ministry announced that evacuation flights will operate from Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, with secondary departure points in Cape Town and Durban. Citizens have been advised to gather at designated assembly points where consular staff will verify travel documents before transporting them to departure terminals. The government has secured commitments from two private airlines to supplement national carrier flights.

Return flights are expected to land at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Officials have set up reception centres at both airports to provide returning citizens with immediate assistance, including medical checks and temporary shelter for those with no family nearby. The immigration service has confirmed it will streamline processing for returning nationals to avoid long queues at border control.

What Comes Next

South African security forces have announced intensified patrols in areas that saw the worst violence, but community leaders say calm remains fragile. Some Nigerians who initially registered for evacuation have decided to stay, hoping the situation will improve. Others say they have lost everything and see no reason to remain in a country where they no longer feel welcome. Consular officials expect the first evacuation flights to depart within the next two weeks, pending final approval of flight schedules.

Families in Nigeria are preparing to receive returning relatives, though many say they are uncertain how loved ones will rebuild their lives after losing businesses and possessions. The foreign affairs ministry has promised to provide reintegration support, but details of the assistance package remain scarce. Watchers say the episode highlights the ongoing vulnerability of African migrants across the continent, and that broader protections for foreign nationals must be addressed at governmental level to prevent future crises.