Xenophobia: Nigeria set to deploy aircraft to evacuate citizens trapped in South Africa

The Federal Government has finished screening Nigerians who registered to be evacuated from South Africa, moving closer to bringing them back home.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the screening exercise started on June 4 and involved several Nigerian and South African agencies.

Officials from the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the South African Police Service, and immigration authorities worked together to carry out the exercise.

The screening was conducted to confirm the identities and eligibility of Nigerians who expressed interest in returning home due to growing security concerns.

With the process now completed, the government will determine the final number of Nigerians approved for evacuation.

The ministry said arrangements will then be finalized to deploy aircraft that will transport the evacuees back to Nigeria.

The planned evacuation follows renewed xenophobic attacks and increasing concerns about the safety of Nigerians and other African migrants living in South Africa.

The Federal Government said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians abroad and ensuring the safe return of those affected by the recent violence.