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Finally the first set of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos following renewed xenophobic attacks in the country.

The Air Peace flight carrying the returnees arrived at the airport around 10:25 am on Thursday.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, among others, was on hand to welcome the 258 evacuees who were escorted by officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, led by the Acting High Commissioner, Temitope Ajayi.

Addressing the returnees, Enikanolaiye said Nigeria will not stand idly by while its citizens are subjected to attacks and harassment wherever they may be in the world; hence, the swift and necessary action to bring them home.

In a statement following their arrival, the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, quoted Enikanolaiye as commending the excellent coordination of the process by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria.
He urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain law-abiding and vigilant and to report any threats to the Nigerian Mission. The minister said that the Federal Government remains fully engaged with the South African authorities at the highest levels to ensure the protection of Nigerian nationals and to address the root causes of these incidents.

The minister conveyed the heartfelt greetings and assurances of President Bola Tinubu to the returning nationals.

“No Nigerian should live in fear simply because of their nationality. The evacuation does not signal defeat; it underscores the proactive and citizen-centred foreign policy of the Tinubu administration,” the statement read in part. “More flights carrying returnees are expected to arrive in the country in the coming days as the evacuation exercise continues.”

The returning nationals are undergoing the process of documentation, profiling, and necessary medical checks and will be provided with temporary accommodation before being reunited with their families, the ministry said.

Anti-foreigner violence has convulsed South Africa for weeks as gangs armed with sticks, whips, and shields have marched through parts of the “rainbow nation”, demanding that people with no residency papers leave by June 30.

Foreign nationals have reported being intimidated and beaten by mobs going door to door, families have been forced from their homes, and many have left in the face of the threats.

Ghana, Mozambique, and Malawi have already repatriated hundreds of their citizens in recent weeks.

South Africa is Africa’s largest economy and hosts more than three million foreigners, just over five per cent of its population, according to the country’s statistics agency.

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…Enikanolaiye says rescue mission reflects Tinubu’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad

By Gloria Ikibah

The first batch of 258 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks has arrived safely in the country, with the Federal Government describing the operation as a clear demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians wherever they reside.

The returnees landed at the International Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday morning aboard a special Air Peace flight arranged and fully funded by the Federal Government.

The evacuees, who were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria led by Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Temitope Alexander Ajayi, were received on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.

Addressing the returnees, Enikanolaiye conveyed President Tinubu’s message of solidarity and reassurance, stressing that the safety and dignity of Nigerians abroad remain a top priority for the administration.

He said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria will not stand idly by while our citizens are subjected to attacks and harassment, wherever they may be in the world, hence the swift and necessary action to bring our people home.”

The minister noted that the evacuation exercise was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and several government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Ministry of Aviation, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Immigration Service and security agencies.

According to the ministry, the operation underscores the government’s determination to protect Nigerians from violence, discrimination and intimidation abroad.

The statement stressed that the evacuation should not be interpreted as a retreat but rather as a proactive intervention aimed at safeguarding citizens caught in a difficult situation.

“No Nigerian should live in fear simply because of their nationality. The evacuation does not signal defeat; it underscores the proactive and citizen-centred foreign policy of the Tinubu administration,” he added.

Enikanolaiye also commended the Nigerian Mission in Pretoria for its role in ensuring the successful evacuation of the affected citizens.

The minister disclosed that Nigeria remains in active diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to address the situation and ensure the safety of Nigerians still residing in the country.

“I commend the excellent coordination of the process by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria and urge all Nigerians in South Africa to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and to report any threats to the Nigerian Mission.

“The Federal Government remains fully engaged with the South African authorities at the highest levels to ensure the protection of Nigerian nationals and to address the root causes of these unfortunate incidents”, he stated.

The returnees are currently undergoing documentation, profiling and medical screening, after which they will receive temporary accommodation and other forms of assistance before being reunited with their families.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said additional evacuation flights are expected in the coming days as efforts continue to bring home Nigerians affected by the attacks.

The ministry also appealed for calm while diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis are intensified.

The latest evacuation follows renewed concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have periodically faced attacks, harassment and threats in recent years.

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The United States government has revoked more than 600 visas issued to foreign nationals linked to alleged birth tourism schemes, in a major enforcement action targeting organised networks accused of exploiting the country’s immigration and citizenship system.

The move was announced on Tuesday by the United States Department of State, which said the decision forms part of a broader effort to curb illegal birth tourism activities under the administration of President Donald Trump.

Crackdown on Alleged Visa Fraud Networks

According to the State Department, birth tourism involves foreign nationals entering the United States on visitor visas primarily for the purpose of giving birth, so their children automatically acquire U.S. citizenship under the country’s birthright citizenship laws.

Officials said this practice violates visa regulations, which require applicants to state their true travel intentions when applying for entry into the country.

The department explained that investigations uncovered coordinated networks that allegedly assisted applicants in obtaining visas under false pretences, often by concealing their real intention to give birth in the United States.

Visas Revoked Across Multiple Regions

As part of the enforcement action, authorities confirmed that more than 100 visas were revoked in West Africa, over 400 in Europe, and at least 100 in North Africa.

In West Africa, U.S. embassy officials reportedly uncovered an organised group involving more than 100 foreign nationals who allegedly used falsified documents and visa intermediaries to secure entry into the United States.

Following the discovery, the visas were cancelled and the network dismantled in cooperation with local authorities, who are also assisting in tracking related cases.

European and North African Networks Targeted

In Europe, investigators reportedly identified at least six companies linked to more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases recorded since 2024.

These firms were accused of coaching applicants on how to respond during visa interviews, arranging travel logistics, and coordinating hospital plans for childbirth once they arrived in the United States.

U.S. authorities said the visas associated with these cases have now been withdrawn, while those involved in organising the scheme have been permanently barred from entering the country.

In North Africa, more than 100 additional visas were revoked from individuals suspected of travelling primarily for childbirth-related purposes to secure U.S. citizenship for their children.

The State Department said consular officers worked in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and used advanced data analysis tools to detect patterns of abuse and identify coordinated visa fraud operations.

Officials reiterated that obtaining a U.S. visa remains a privilege rather than a right, stressing that applicants must comply fully with immigration rules and disclose accurate information during the application process.

The department added that investigations are ongoing in multiple regions as part of sustained efforts to dismantle birth tourism networks and prevent further abuse of the visa system.

Authorities also warned that individuals found guilty of violating visa regulations could face permanent bans from entering the United States in the future.