Hundreds of Nigerian nationals have departed South Africa for Lagos following a wave of xenophobic attacks and unrest [1].
The mass departure signals a deteriorating security situation for foreign nationals in the region. The exodus follows a period of targeted violence that has left many migrants fearing for their lives and livelihoods.
A group of Nigerian migrants arrived at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night, June 10, 2026 [2], to begin their journey home. The travelers said they had urgent safety concerns after recent unrest led to the looting of businesses and direct attacks on foreigners [3].
Reports on the scale of the evacuation vary slightly. One report said that 262 Nigerians left South Africa in an initial batch [4], while another indicated that 268 evacuated citizens have already arrived in Lagos [5].
The unrest has been compounded by pressure from a campaign group that issued a warning to illegal migrants. The group said that those without legal status must leave the country by June 30, 2026 [6].
This atmosphere of hostility has pushed many residents to abandon their homes and businesses. The coordinated effort to move citizens back to Nigeria reflects the severity of the threats facing the community in Johannesburg and other urban centers.
“Nigerian migrants are leaving South Africa after xenophobic unrest”
The repatriation of hundreds of Nigerian citizens highlights a volatile intersection of economic frustration and xenophobia in South Africa. By setting a hard deadline for illegal migrants to exit the country, vigilante or campaign groups are effectively bypassing formal legal channels to enforce deportation, increasing the risk of targeted violence against foreign populations.
