The Federal Government is finalising an arrangement to airlift another batch of stranded Nigerians in South Africa, The Nation has learnt.
Already, over 300 Nigerians have been evacuated in two different flights. One conveying 268 by the Federal Government and another private arrangement conveying 66.
The anti-immigration vigilante groups have set a June 30 2026 deadline demanding undocumented foreign nationals, especially blacks, to leave South Africa.
The threat has sparked widespread fear of xenophobic unrest, leading several African nations to evacuate thousands of their citizens. Though South African authorities have heavily condemned the vigilante threats and deployed the police and military to tighten security nationwide.
Sources in the Presidency, said the government is processing more flights as the June 30 2026 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa draws closer.
The sources also distanced the Federal government from scheduled flight arrangements in the public domain.
According to one of the sources, the Federal Government has made a request for another flight and the financial aspect is being worked out.
The source revealed that the initial plan was to evacuate around 300 people and that was sorted out with the airline.
The additional names on the list were people who showed interest at a later date.
The source noted that initially, only very few people indicated interest and that formed the basis for the initial arrangement leading to the evacuation of 286.
The sources also noted that the last batch of about 90 nationals that were evacuated was done by a private intervention and were mainly vulnerable- women and children.
They, however, said with the surge on the list now, the government has to do proper profiling before making a request.
The source also stressed that it was not an issue of funding but of processes.
The sources also disclosed that the process involved those who are readily prepared to return and the need to also prepare necessary documents.
Confirming government efforts at evacuating another batch, the spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the government is up and doing to ensure that those wishing to leave are evacuated.
He revealed that ‘more flights are currently processed’.
He also promised to provide updates as the process goes on.
Meanwhile, anxiety and frustration have enveloped Nigerians awaiting evacuation from South Africa, as the deadline draws near.
Over one thousand Nigerians are still awaiting evacuation.
As the deadline draws near, many more Nigerians are seeking to leave the late Nelson Mandela’s country.
The President of Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), Rev. Frank Onyekwelu called for speedy action.
He said, ‘As you may know, the first flight that evacuated people took about 268 people and Wednesday another 66 people left through an arranged flight from a private person from Nigeria. And so, we still have over 1,000 names remaining which we’re hoping that the other four flights as being approved by the government of Nigeria will be able to airlift them’.
Speaking on the conditions of the people awaiting evacuation, Onyekwelu said it is not looking too good, especially as they have been displaced.
He explained that frustration has started setting in. He added: ‘So far, we might have about a thousand people remaining. It’s not sounding well. Some of them are really frustrated. Some of them are managing wherever they found themselves as you may know that many of them came from far provinces and they are not living in Johannesburg here.
‘So, currently, some of them are dispatched, hanging around in various places. Some in churches, in some community halls, and the weather is not favourable’. As you may know, we are in our winter season here in South Africa. So, it’s very cold and women and children being exposed to the cold weather, it’s a risk to their health. It’s also a risk to their general well-being. ‘So, the economic challenges- some of them don’t have money to buy food or buy hygiene products to continue to manage and wait. It’s been two weeks now since the cancellation on the 15th of January’.
He disclosed that support is coming from the Nigerian community.
He however pleaded with the government to hasten the process.
According to him: ‘The community is supporting where they can, buying groceries, buying food, and some personal hygiene products just to show them love and support.
We continue to plead with our government and appeal that they will fast-track the process and whatever that is causing the technical delay so that these people will be airlifted and they will find their way back home where they can at least relax and have some peaceful sleep. So, the condition is not conducive for them.
‘Many of them are squatting like you see like 10-15 people in one room or in one hall, you know, struggling to manage themselves and hold on until when they will get a confirmed date for evacuation. That is the current situation of our people’.
Speaking on the deadline, Onyekwelu said Nigerians have been sensitised on the need to take extra precautions.
He also disclosed that in collaboration with the country’s mission in South Africa, the NICASA had engaged some security personnel to help pass information around.
He said: ‘Regarding the 30th June deadline, we have been working hand in hand with our consulates and missions. ‘We have issued a secular- public notice to engage our people for them to apply caution in movements, protect themselves first of all, and safeguard their businesses or properties.
‘We’ve engaged with some security personnel that will also help in passing information across to us or from us to the government in terms of if there is any security situation or incident, anyone of our national having any situation, they will quickly alert us while we will alert the government’.
He also said Nigerians have been advised to shut their businesses on the set date.
‘Above all, we encourage people, especially on that 30th if it’s possible for them to close their shops, close their businesses, take out their valuables from their businesses just to avoid looting and they stay indoors, have enough air time and data in their phones, stay in touch with their families and loved ones and expect communications from our approved channels so that we can always hear their cry. If anything is happening where they are, they can easily reach out to somebody that will reach out to somebody. “So far, we also encourage them to be law abiding, not to engage if there are protests on that day, if there are South Africans marching around, they shouldn’t confront them, they should not engage them or, you know, block their ways.
‘Even those that will be driving or have a need to move around at all, should avoid the hotspot areas and the strategic corners that might put their life in danger. And as much as it can, avoid travelling that day, whether within the province or outside the province. As we know that this protest might be happening all over South Africa on that same day, even though we are receiving some reports or intelligence information that they are planning to even start earlier than the 30th, maybe around the 28th or 29th to start, you know, looting or attacking foreigners.
‘But we are on great alert and applying caution as we manage the situation so far’, he added.
