Nigeria has launched one of the largest voluntary repatriation efforts in recent years, evacuating citizens from South Africa amid rising anti-migrant sentiment; the first of five scheduled flights, operated by Air Peace, departed Johannesburg on Wednesday with approximately 270 passengers. More than 500 Nigerians have already been cleared for repatriation, with a total of 1,094 individuals having registered interest in returning home.

Surge in Xenophobic Attacks

Anti-immigrant protests and attacks have escalated in South Africa, prompting many Nigerian nationals to seek repatriation; According to reports, xenophobic violence has left several migrants in danger. One evacuee. Identified as Justin. Told the BBC he had been attacked in a taxi and left with nothing but his life. ‘They say we must leave on or before 30th June. And because of the way they are killing people, killing our brothers, so I’m not safe,’ he said.

South African police have reported two Mozambican men killed in Western Cape province earlier this month, though no official death toll for xenophobic violence has been released. The Mozambican government claims the toll is higher, with their citizens being targeted as a result of xenophobia.

Political and Economic Frustrations

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation over the weekend, condemning the violence and warning that frustrations over unemployment and poverty were being exploited by vigilante groups and political actors. South Africa’s unemployment rate remains above 30%, one of the highest in the world, and migrants are increasingly being accused of taking jobs and straining public services.

Nigeria’s Consul General in South Africa, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, said migrants were being scapegoated. ‘They are not and cannot be the problem,’ she told the BBC. ‘Migrants make up less than 10% of South Africa’s population and cannot be blamed for broken systems in education, health care, policing, or unemployment.’

According to a South African Border Management Agency spokesman, none of the passengers on the evacuation flight had legal documents to reside in the country — Okey-Uche added that delays in processing residency applications could lead to some migrants becoming undocumented, though she did not have specific figures.

Concerns Over Future Migrant Safety

The repatriation effort highlights the growing insecurity felt by foreign nationals in South Africa — Migrants have faced increasing hostility, with many being targeted for insults and attacks. Justin described how locals called him names and demanded he leave the country. ‘When we tried to beg them, they started insulting us,’ he said.

With South Africa’s political and economic challenges showing no immediate sign of improvement, the exodus of Nigerian citizens is likely to continue. The Nigerian government has not indicated how many more flights may be needed, but the scale of the operation suggests a significant portion of its diaspora in South Africa is seeking to return home.