The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) has raised the alarm that hundreds of Nigerians who have indicated interest in returning to Nigeria as a result of the current xenophobic attacks in South Africa are facing untold hardship over delayed flights.

The Federal Government had, on June 7, 2026, promised to deploy five chartered evacuation flights via Air Peace to repatriate Nigerians back home from South Africa.

However, only one flight has taken off so far, arriving in Lagos last week Thursday with 258 returnees from over 1000 said to have indicated their interest in returning home.

In a statement signed by Frank Onyekwelu, the National President of NICASA, made available to Daily Trust on Friday, the association said, “Hundreds of Nigerians who responded to the Federal Government’s evacuation programme have endured untold hardship following delays in the scheduled repatriation flights.

“Many of these citizens travelled from distant provinces across South Africa after being instructed to report for registration and screening. Today, numerous families, including women and children, are stranded without shelter, food, transportation, or financial means to sustain themselves.

“The situation has become increasingly distressing as some of our nationals have been left sleeping in difficult conditions, uncertain of when they will return home.

“Several have exhausted their limited resources after travelling long distances in good faith, believing that arrangements had been adequately concluded for their departure,” the body lamented.

NICASA, therefore, “makes an urgent and passionate appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, the National Assembly, particularly the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Matters, to immediately intervene in the worsening humanitarian situation facing stranded Nigerian nationals awaiting voluntary repatriation from South Africa.”

It called on the Federal Government to immediately intervene and expedite the completion of the repatriation programme.

It also demanded the deployment of emergency resources and the establishment of a humanitarian support mechanism for stranded Nigerians pending their departure.

“Relevant government agencies to urgently facilitate the remaining four evacuation flights so that all registered citizens can be safely returned home without further delay.

“The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa to improve communication, provide temporary welfare support, and engage constructively with community leadership structures to address the immediate needs of affected citizens,” the association said.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said he did not have any update on the repatriation programme for now, promising to update our reporter when there is a new development.

On his part, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocol, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), assured that everyone who registered to be evacuated would be returned to Nigeria.

He urged them to be patient as the government is currently making efforts to ensure a smooth execution of the repatriation programme. (Daily Trust)

Update news