The Federal Government has announced the final phase of its evacuation programme for Nigerians stranded in South Africa, warning that the security situation remains volatile with no indication that xenophobic attacks are easing.

The government urged Nigerians who believe their lives are at risk to take advantage of the remaining evacuation flights, stressing that it could no longer guarantee the safety of those who choose to remain in the country amid the ongoing violence.

The fresh advisory was contained in a statement posted on Monday on the official X handle of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

The latest warning comes days after the Federal Government condemned the killing of two Nigerians in South Africa; Emeka Charles Iroegbu, who was allegedly killed by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in Pretoria, and Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, who was shot dead in front of his shop in Witbank, Mpumalanga.

The government had demanded a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible.

In the statement, the minister said Nigeria remained deeply worried about the welfare of its citizens in South Africa as xenophobic attacks against migrants continued.

“Nigeria remains concerned about the safety of its citizens in South Africa as a result of the ongoing xenophobic protests and attacks of migrants, and even more so following the deaths of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu during these unfortunate events,” she said.

The minister disclosed that the Federal Government had extended the evacuation exercise beyond the initial June 30 deadline approved by President Bola Tinubu, following continued security concerns.

She noted that after three successful evacuation operations, a fourth chartered flight arrived in Nigeria on July 3, while another aircraft is scheduled to depart for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, to evacuate more Nigerians.

According to her, the final evacuation flight is expected to arrive in South Africa on July 10.

“There are no signs that the situation is improving,” the minister warned.

She appealed to Nigerians still undecided about returning home to carefully assess the risks, reminding them that lost investments could be replaced but lives could not.

“For many still sitting on the fence, they should do well to note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but not lives lost,” she stated.

The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad and pledged that every necessary step would be taken to safeguard their welfare.

Providing further details of the evacuation schedule, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said an Air Peace aircraft would depart Lagos for Johannesburg at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7.

He explained that the aircraft would leave Johannesburg at midnight with about 270 returnees and is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, if all goes according to plan.

Meanwhile, the federal government has continued to press South African authorities to investigate the killings of its nationals and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. (The Guardian)

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