The Federal Government has evacuated another 271 Nigerians from South Africa amid escalating anti-immigration protests and growing concerns over the safety of foreign nationals.
The latest batch arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Tuesday aboard an Air Peace Boeing 777-200 aircraft, bringing the total number of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa to 601.
Authorities urged Nigerians not to return to South Africa, warning that the security situation remains volatile following widespread demonstrations targeting undocumented migrants.
Many of the returnees described harrowing experiences, saying they were forced to abandon businesses, homes and personal belongings while fleeing attacks.
One of the evacuees, Emmanuela Akagosu, said she left behind everything she had built since relocating to South Africa in 2017.
She said many Nigerians lived in constant fear as hostility towards foreigners continued to grow.
“My experience in South Africa was terrible. They see Nigerians as hardworking and successful, and that makes them feel threatened,” she said.
Akagosu recalled narrowly escaping an attack on the residential complex where she lived after protesters threatened foreign nationals and warned them to leave or risk being killed.
Another returnee, Sandy Oris from Anambra State, described his 14 years in South Africa as his greatest regret after his business was looted and destroyed during the unrest.
“They destroyed my shop and took everything. I came back to Nigeria with absolutely nothing,” he said.
Oris appealed to the Federal Government to support those returning home, noting that many had lost their livelihoods and now faced an uncertain future.
He added that he had no intention of returning to South Africa and hoped to rebuild his life in Nigeria.
The Edo State Government has begun arrangements to receive and reintegrate indigenes among the evacuees.
Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency, Lucky Agazuma, said measures were already in place to assist returning residents with their resettlement.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) also confirmed that several organisations and individuals had offered financial assistance to the returnees.
According to NiDCOM representative Dipo Odebowale, a church donated ₦100,000 to each evacuee, while Pastor Bolaji Idowu made a similar contribution. Telecommunications company MTN also provided ₦100,000 in cash and ₦50,000 worth of airtime to every returnee to ease their immediate resettlement.
Meanwhile, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, said the Federal Government intends to seek compensation for Nigerians who abandoned businesses and property while escaping the violence.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Ajayi disclosed that affected Nigerians had begun documenting assets left behind as part of preparations for discussions with South African authorities.
The evacuations came as anti-illegal immigration protests gathered momentum across South Africa under the “March and March” campaign, with demonstrations held in several cities.
Although police maintained a heavy presence at protest hotspots, officers were repeatedly forced to intervene to prevent clashes between demonstrators and foreign nationals.
One of the most dramatic incidents occurred in Germiston, where police took a man identifying himself as a Malawian citizen into protective custody after an angry crowd surrounded him.
Speaking to broadcaster eNCA while being escorted by officers, the man said he had simply been heading out to buy food when he became caught up in the demonstrations.
Police said they removed him from the area for his own protection and would verify his immigration status before deciding on any further action.
In another Germiston incident, officers intervened after protesters detained a Zimbabwean national before handing him over to police. The man later produced a valid passport, indicating that he was legally in the country.
Elsewhere in Johannesburg, police restored order after objects were allegedly thrown at anti-immigration marchers by residents of nearby flats.
In KwaZulu-Natal, police arrested seven people in separate incidents linked to crimes targeting foreign nationals, including robbery, break-ins at foreign-owned tuck shops, intimidation and assaults on police officers.
Authorities said several suspects would appear in court after being charged.
Despite disruption to commercial activity in some areas, the South African government ruled out imposing a shutdown and appealed for peaceful demonstrations, warning against criminal acts during the protests.
Police have deployed additional personnel and security vehicles across key locations as tensions remain high.
Protest organisers insist their campaign is directed at illegal immigration rather than lawful foreign residents, arguing that undocumented migrants place pressure on jobs, healthcare, education and other public services.
Speaking during a demonstration in Pretoria, March and March convener Simon Malebe said the movement was pressing authorities to address immigration enforcement and economic concerns.
He argued that only foreign nationals possessing scarce or specialised skills should be permitted to remain in the country, while accusing undocumented migrants of contributing to crime and undermining opportunities for South Africans.
The unrest has prompted several countries, including Nigeria, Malawi and Ghana, to facilitate the voluntary return of citizens wishing to leave South Africa.
