South Africa Begins Repatriation of 586 Nigerians Amid Xenophobia Concerns

South Africa has begun repatriating 586 Nigerians found to be residing in the country illegally, with the first batch arriving in Lagos on Thursday as concerns grow over xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.

According to a statement released on Thursday by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, the first repatriation flight departed on June 11, 2026, carrying 268 Nigerians back to Nigeria. A second flight transporting the remaining returnees is scheduled for June 15.

The department said all affected individuals were processed in accordance with South African immigration laws and issued emergency travel documents by the Nigerian High Commission to facilitate their return.

It added that the deportees had been declared “undesirable persons” under the country’s Immigration Act and would be barred from re-entering South Africa for five years.

“The Department of Home Affairs confirms that it has processed 586 Nigerian nationals for repatriation after they were found to be residing in the Republic of South Africa illegally,” the statement said.

The department also reminded foreign nationals living in South Africa to maintain valid visas or other legal authorisations at all times.

South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, said the government remained committed to enforcing immigration laws and restoring the rule of law.

“Our ongoing orderly and lawful deportations and repatriations, which have increased by 46 per cent over the past two years, are clear evidence of this,” Schreiber stated.

He added that reforms such as biometric electronic travel authorisation systems and digital identity management would further strengthen immigration enforcement.

Meanwhile, the first batch of 258 Nigerians arrived at the International Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a special Air Peace flight at about 10:31 a.m.

The returnees were received by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, alongside officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, immigration authorities, health officials, and security agencies.

Many of the evacuees reportedly left behind businesses, jobs, and personal belongings in South Africa.

Upon arrival, they underwent documentation, immigration clearance, profiling, and medical screening before arrangements were made for temporary accommodation and reunions with family members.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, described the evacuation as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria will not stand idly by while our citizens are subjected to attacks and harassment, wherever they may be in the world,” he said.

Enikanolaiye added that Nigeria was engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels to address the attacks and ensure the safety of Nigerians living there.

The repatriation comes amid heightened anti-immigrant sentiment and repeated reports of attacks on foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, where undocumented migration has become a politically sensitive issue.

Additional evacuation flights are expected in the coming days as Nigerian authorities continue efforts to assist citizens affected by the unrest.