Xenophobic violence: Government begins voluntary return programme as attacks on foreign nationals escalate in southern African nation
The Nigerian government has begun screening more than 1,000 of its citizens in South Africa as part of an urgent repatriation programme following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
The screening exercise commenced on Thursday, 5 June 2026, and is expected to conclude on Saturday.
At least 1,094 Nigerians have registered interest in voluntary return from South Africa, a significant increase from the 130 previously seeking repatriation. The surge reflects growing concerns about safety and escalating hostility towards foreign workers in the southern African nation.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, confirmed the repatriation screening details to AFP on Friday.
“Total figure not out yet. We are expecting over 1,000 persons,” Ebienfa said.
The final number of those eligible for repatriation will only be determined after the screening process concludes on Saturday, at which point flight arrangements will be finalised.
Joint screening process underway
The repatriation screening is being conducted jointly by foreign ministry officials from both Nigeria and South Africa, alongside South African immigration authorities and police. The exercise aims to verify the eligibility of Nigerians willing to return home under the voluntary programme.
Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria has negotiated important concessions with South African authorities to facilitate the return of affected nationals. According to the High Commission statement issued Tuesday, authorities have agreed to “waive penalties” for those with immigration-related offences, including visa violations and overstays, allowing them to depart on repatriation flights rather than face detention.
However, individuals facing criminal charges remain ineligible to leave South Africa under the programme, as Ebienfa clarified. The government maintains that security concerns and criminal liability will be grounds for exclusion from repatriation flights.
xenophobic violence: Deaths and escalating attacks
The repatriation initiative follows a wave of violent attacks on foreign nationals across South Africa. Nigerians, along with Ghanaians and Mozambicans, have been among the groups most targeted by xenophobic violence in recent weeks.
According to the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg, at least two Nigerians have been killed in the recent attacks. The consulate has also documented cases of alleged assaults by South African security officials against Nigerian nationals.
The renewed xenophobic tensions have sparked sharp exchanges between Nigeria and South Africa, prompting diplomatic interventions and emergency responses from multiple African nations affected by the violence.
Regional response and priority
The negotiations between Nigeria’s High Commission and South African authorities represent efforts to prevent vulnerable Nigerians from becoming trapped in the country through immigration-related charges. By securing waivers for visa violations, Nigeria aims to enable safe departure for citizens who may have overstayed or violated other administrative regulations.
South African immigration officials will participate in the joint screening process, collaborating with Nigerian and South African authorities to verify documentation and determine eligibility. The three-day screening exercise (Thursday to Saturday) reflects the urgency of the situation and the scale of repatriation required.
Nigeria’s repatriation effort follows similar action by Ghana, which recently repatriated nearly 300 of its citizens from South Africa. Ghana’s first batch represented the initial phase of a broader evacuation involving approximately 800 Ghanaian nationals registered for repatriation.
Ebienfa noted that Nigeria had submitted its clearance list before Ghana but was not given priority in the repatriation process. He added that Ethiopia is expected to be the next country to begin repatriation arrangements once Nigeria’s screening exercise concludes.
The order of priority reflects diplomatic negotiations between the countries and South African authorities, with coordination challenges emerging as multiple nations seek to evacuate their citizens simultaneously.
The latest xenophobic tensions have revived uncomfortable discussions across Africa regarding xenophobia, migration patterns, and the disconnect between pan-African solidarity rhetoric and migration realities on the continent.
The coordinated repatriations by multiple nations signal broader concerns about the security situation for African migrants in South Africa and highlight the need for regional cooperation and humanitarian responses to xenophobic violence.
