Hundreds of Nigerian nationals are seeking repatriation from South Africa following a wave of xenophobic attacks and protests targeting foreign immigrants [1].

The exodus highlights a volatile security environment for West African migrants in South Africa, where escalating violence has forced citizens to seek emergency government intervention to ensure their safety.

Reports on the number of citizens attempting to leave vary across sources. Some reports state that more than 260 Nigerians are fleeing the attacks [2], while other accounts indicate at least 130 citizens have asked to be flown home [3]. Another report noted that more than 100 nationals were seeking repatriation [1].

The Nigerian government, including Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu, has responded by organizing evacuation efforts [1]. These operations are primarily focused on moving citizens from Johannesburg and surrounding areas back to Nigeria [4].

According to government reports, the first batch of returnees was expected to arrive in Lagos on a Thursday morning [4]. The decision to evacuate follows a series of protests in early May 2024 that created significant safety concerns for Nigerian residents [3].

These attacks are part of a broader pattern of xenophobic sentiment in the region, where foreign nationals are often blamed for local economic hardships. The Nigerian government continues to coordinate with South African authorities to manage the departure of its citizens and ensure the security of those remaining in the country.

“Over 260 Nigerians are fleeing xenophobic attacks”

This surge in repatriation requests underscores the precarious legal and social status of migrants in South Africa. The disparity in reported numbers suggests a rapidly evolving crisis where the scale of displacement may be larger than initial government estimates. The need for state-led evacuations indicates that local security measures were insufficient to protect foreign nationals during the May 2024 unrest.