The Federal Government has advised Nigerians living in South Africa who feel their safety is under threat to take advantage of the remaining government-sponsored evacuation flights, with the final evacuation scheduled for July 10.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, issued the advisory in a statement posted on her verified X account, describing it as a final call for Nigerians wishing to return home under the ongoing evacuation programme.
The renewed appeal follows persistent xenophobic protests and attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, including incidents that resulted in the deaths of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu.
According to the minister, the Federal Government has formally demanded that South African authorities conduct a thorough investigation into the killings and ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.
She said Nigeria remains deeply concerned about the security of its citizens in South Africa, adding that there are currently no indications that the situation is improving.
“There are no signs that the situation is improving,” she stated.
Ambassador Odumegwu Ojukwu recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved an extension of the evacuation exercise beyond the initial June 30 deadline after the successful completion of the first three evacuation operations.
The extension, she explained, was granted to enable more Nigerians who wish to return home to do so safely.
She disclosed that the fourth evacuation flight arrived in Nigeria on July 3, while another chartered aircraft is scheduled to depart Lagos for Johannesburg on July 7 to evacuate additional Nigerians.
According to the minister, the final evacuation flight will arrive in South Africa on July 10, after which the government-sponsored evacuation programme will conclude.
She urged Nigerians who have not yet made a decision to carefully assess the risks of remaining in South Africa, warning that appeals for assistance after the exercise has ended may come too late.
“Our citizens are strongly advised to take advantage of this extension and utilise the full capacity of the aircraft,” she said.
“The last evacuation flight is expected to arrive in South Africa on July 10. Our nationals are again advised to weigh the risks regarding whether to remain or return.”
The minister further cautioned that delaying a decision could have serious consequences.
“For many still sitting on the fence, sending out distress calls after these evacuation exercises might have concluded, and when there was an opportunity to leave which they did not utilise, will not help matters,” she said.
She stressed that while properties and investments lost in times of crisis could be replaced, human lives could not.
“They should do well to note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but not lives lost,” she added.
Ambassador Odumegwu Ojukwu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians living abroad, assuring citizens that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue to engage relevant authorities and take all necessary steps to safeguard Nigerian lives and interests overseas.