The Federal Government has renewed its appeal to Nigerians residing in South Africa to take advantage of the ongoing evacuation programme if they feel their safety is under threat, warning that the final government-sponsored flight is expected to conclude the exercise on July 10.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal in a statement posted on her verified X account on Monday, announcing a final opportunity for Nigerians seeking to return home under the evacuation initiative.
According to the minister, the government remains deeply concerned about the worsening security situation for Nigerians in South Africa amid recurring xenophobic attacks targeting migrants. She cited the recent deaths of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, as further evidence of the dangers facing citizens in the country.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Nigerian government has formally demanded a thorough investigation by South African authorities into the killings, insisting that those responsible must be identified and prosecuted.
She advised Nigerians who believe they are at risk to register immediately for the remaining evacuation flights, stressing that there are no indications the security situation is improving.
The minister recalled that Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved an extension of the evacuation programme beyond the original June 30 deadline following the successful completion of the first three evacuation operations, allowing more citizens the opportunity to return home safely.
She disclosed that the fourth evacuation flight landed in Nigeria on July 3, while another chartered flight is scheduled to depart Lagos for Johannesburg on Tuesday to evacuate additional Nigerians. The final evacuation flight is expected to conclude the operation on July 10.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged Nigerians who are still undecided to carefully consider the risks of remaining in South Africa, warning that appeals for emergency assistance after the evacuation exercise ends may come too late.
She emphasized that while damaged property and financial investments can be recovered, lives cannot be replaced, and encouraged citizens to make full use of the available seats before the exercise concludes.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians living abroad, pledging that authorities will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard the lives and welfare of citizens wherever they reside.
