Nigeria Begins Evacuation of Citizens Amid South Africa Protests

WHO:

ABC News - The Nigerian Foreign Minister is Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

ABC News - A total of 262 passengers and three officials were involved in the repatriation flight.

WHAT:

ABC News - The first group of Nigerians returned home from South Africa as part of a government-ordered repatriation.

BBC News - Nigeria is repatriating citizens due to rising anti-migrant sentiment and reports of xenophobic attacks.

WHERE:

ABC News - The repatriation flight landed in Lagos, Nigeria.

ABC News - The protests occurred in South Africa.

WHEN:

ABC News - The first group of Nigerians returned home on Thursday.

WHY:

ABC News - The repatriation was ordered due to violent anti-immigration protests that put Nigerian citizens' lives at risk.

ABC News - The protests highlight tensions between foreign workers and locals in South Africa, who claim that foreigners are taking their jobs.

HOW:

ABC News - The Nigerian government organized the evacuation of citizens who consider their lives at risk by continued stay in South Africa.

(UPDATED June 11, 2026 14:25 UTC)

The Nigerian government has organized a repatriation flight that successfully brought home a total of 262 passengers and three officials from South Africa, where rising anti-migrant sentiment and xenophobic attacks have put Nigerian citizens' lives at risk. The first group of Nigerians landed in Lagos after being evacuated due to violent protests in South Africa, which have heightened tensions between foreign workers and locals. Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu confirmed the operation, emphasizing the government's commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens abroad.