Over 300 Nigerians remain stranded in South Africa, awaiting repatriation amid ongoing anti-immigration tensions and xenophobic violence, according to Smart Nwobi, president of the Nigerian Union in South Africa. Speaking in Pretoria on Tuesday, Nwobi revealed that despite the federal government’s promise of five evacuation flights, many Nigerians eager to return home are being detained at airports due to visa violations and overstays. He emphasized that while the fifth batch of evacuees is underway, hundreds still face bureaucratic and legal hurdles preventing their safe return.
Nwobi explained that the Nigerian Union has recorded approximately 300 members who have expressed a desire to return voluntarily. He also highlighted a growing number of individuals attempting to self-deport by purchasing their own tickets and obtaining emergency travel documents. However, these efforts are frequently blocked at airport checkpoints, where officials refuse to allow departure citing immigration infractions. “Once they buy tickets and get emergency travel documents, the airport officials will not allow them to go,” Nwobi stated, underscoring the urgent need for policy adjustments.
He appealed to the South African government to grant a waiver for Nigerians wishing to self-deport, allowing them to leave without arrest or detention. “People who want to voluntarily repatriate should be allowed to do so without being arrested or detained,” he said. Nwobi pointed out that the current system is overwhelmed, with police and courts struggling to manage the backlog of cases. He urged South Africa’s Home Minister to address these issues to ease the burden on both governments and affected citizens.
The federal government has already evacuated 284 Nigerians in its fourth phase of repatriation, bringing the total number of evacuees to 1,085. Previous flights brought home 262 on June 11, 271 on June 30, and 268 on July 3, culminating in the latest operation on July 9. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a final evacuation is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2026, with 315 Nigerians set to return. Spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the safety, protection, and swift return of Nigerians affected by xenophobic incidents in South Africa.
This ongoing repatriation effort reflects Nigeria’s determination to safeguard its citizens abroad, especially during periods of heightened tension. As the final flight approaches, the hope remains that all stranded Nigerians will be accounted for and returned home safely. The situation continues to draw attention to the need for smoother immigration policies and stronger bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa.
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