Nigeria Evacuates Citizens and Targets South African Businesses

The Government of Nigeria is repatriating its citizens from South Africa following a surge in xenophobic attacks and deteriorating security. Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu announced that President Bola Tinubu extended the evacuation deadline beyond June 30. An Air Peace flight departed Lagos for Johannesburg on July 7 to return 270 registered citizens, with a final evacuation flight scheduled for July 10.

The repatriation effort follows the deaths of two Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu. Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu demanded that South African authorities investigate these killings and bring the perpetrators to justice, urging remaining nationals to prioritize their lives over material investments.

Simultaneously, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) issued a four-day ultimatum on July 6 demanding that South African business interests evacuate Nigeria. NANS National Executive Director Bestman Okereafor stated the move responds to the destruction of Nigerian-owned businesses and violence in South Africa. The student body warned it would consider picketing businesses after the deadline expires and called on the African Union and the Nigerian government to take more decisive action.