RCCG supports return of 111 Nigerians from South Africa

Another batch of 111 distressed Nigerians has been evacuated from South Africa and returned to Nigeria amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in the country.

The returnees arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways (SAA) Flight SA060 on Thursday, October 8, following an evacuation exercise funded by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

In a statement issued in Abuja over the weekend, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said the latest evacuation was part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of Nigerians facing distress in South Africa.

The group comprised 44 men, 23 women and 44 children. Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant federal government agencies received the returnees on arrival.

According to the ministry, the evacuation was fully funded from the $265,854 donation made by the RCCG to support the repatriation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.

The latest exercise brings the total number of consular evacuations conducted from South Africa to 15 since the ongoing operation commenced on June 10, 2026. It also raises the cumulative number of Nigerians evacuated from the country to 2,037.

Of the total number evacuated, 1,388 had their repatriation costs fully covered by the Federal Government, the statement said.

The ministry added that the RCCG had so far funded one-way tickets for 318 Nigerians under its commitment to support the evacuation of 500 citizens, leaving another 182 returnees to benefit from the church’s intervention.

The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the RCCG, under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its financial support towards the evacuation of distressed Nigerians.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to engaging relevant stakeholders, including South African authorities, to address xenophobia and Afrophobia and promote the safety, welfare and dignity of Nigerians living in the country.

The government advised Nigerians in South Africa to comply with local laws, remain vigilant and prioritise their safety. It also urged them to maintain contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg for consular assistance when necessary.

The ministry reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to providing timely consular support to Nigerians in the diaspora and safeguarding their welfare and well-being.