Over 700 Nigerians Still Stranded in South Africa as Deadline Looms
More than 700 Nigerians remain stranded in South Africa with just days left before a June 30 deadline issued by anti-immigration groups, as delays in government funding continue to stall evacuation efforts and leave many exposed to growing xenophobic threats.
Although President Bola Tinubu approved emergency evacuation funds two weeks ago, administrative bottlenecks have prevented the release of payments to Air Peace, the airline expected to handle the rescue operation. The delay has created uncertainty for hundreds of Nigerians anxiously waiting to return home.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa confirmed that Air Peace has refused to deploy additional flights until payment is officially received.
So far, only 324 out of approximately 1,000 Nigerians who registered for evacuation have returned home. An initial Air Peace flight brought back 258 citizens on June 11, while another group of 66 Nigerians arrived in Lagos on June 24 through a privately funded intervention after discussions with Air Peace stalled.
The second rescue effort became necessary after a scheduled evacuation flight failed to take off due to unresolved payment issues. Some stranded Nigerians who had already arrived at the Nigerian High Commission in anticipation of departure were forced to remain there after learning that the flight had been canceled.
Officials disclosed that the High Commission had to provide temporary shelter, food, and support for those who had nowhere else to stay. Eventually, the owner of ValueJet stepped in and financed 66 tickets on South African Airways, allowing some stranded citizens to return to Nigeria.
Sources within the aviation industry revealed that Air Peace had planned to deploy its Boeing 777 aircraft for four separate evacuation flights. However, the airline reportedly suspended further operations until payment confirmation was received.
Meanwhile, authorities remain optimistic that the situation could be resolved soon, with hopes that additional flights will resume once the financial processes are completed.
The urgency surrounding the evacuation has intensified because of increasing xenophobic hostility across South Africa. Anti-immigration groups and political movements have reportedly given foreign nationals until June 30 to leave the country, creating fear and panic among immigrants.
The President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, claimed that more than 20 Nigerians have died since late 2025 due to the ongoing wave of hostility. According to him, some victims allegedly suffered violent attacks, while others died from trauma linked to the destruction and looting of their businesses.
He described disturbing incidents across several cities, including reports of Nigerians being publicly assaulted, businesses vandalised, vehicles set ablaze, and communities subjected to intimidation.
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Union of South Africa, Akin Olunloyo, also described the atmosphere as tense and dangerous, saying fear has gripped many Nigerians as the June 30 deadline approaches.
He warned that while anti-immigration actions may officially target undocumented migrants, many legal residents and African immigrants are also becoming victims of harassment and threats, forcing many to consider leaving the country for their own safety.
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