…RCCG-funded operation brings number of returnees sponsored by church to 318, with 182 more expected
By Gloria Ikibah 
The Federal Government has evacuated another 111 distressed Nigerians from South Africa amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, bringing the total number of citizens repatriated from the country since June to 2,037.
The latest batch, comprising 44 men, 23 women and 44 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways flight SA060 on Thursday, 8 October 2026.
The returnees were received by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant Federal Government agencies.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the evacuation was fully funded by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), which donated $265,854 to support the repatriation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
The ministry said the latest operation brought the number of consular evacuations conducted from South Africa to 15 since the exercise began on 10 June 2026.
Of the 2,037 Nigerians evacuated so far, 1,388 had their repatriation costs fully covered by the Federal Government.
The ministry added that 318 Nigerians had so far benefited from the RCCG-funded initiative, leaving another 182 to be repatriated under the church’s commitment to sponsor 500 one-way tickets.
The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the RCCG, led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its financial support towards the evacuation of distressed Nigerians.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to engaging relevant stakeholders, including the South African authorities, to address xenophobia and Afrophobia and protect the welfare of Nigerians living in the country.
The ministry urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain vigilant, obey local laws and prioritise their safety.
It also advised them to maintain contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate-General in Johannesburg for consular assistance when necessary.
“The Federal Government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing timely consular support to Nigerians in the diaspora and safeguarding their welfare and well-being,” the statement said.
The ongoing evacuation exercise is part of the government’s efforts to assist Nigerians facing distress in South Africa amid persistent concerns over attacks targeting foreign nationals.
