Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu warns lives cannot be replaced as death toll reaches four; last government-sponsored evacuation flight set for July 10.

The Federal Government has issued a final documentation call for Nigerian nationals in South Africa to register for evacuation, naming two citizens killed during ongoing xenophobic protests and warning that the last government-chartered flight will arrive in South Africa on July 10, 2026.

The call was made in an official statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, issued on Monday as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing evacuation operation from South Africa.

Death toll climbs to four as minister demands South African accountability

The statement named Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu as the two most recently killed Nigerians during the xenophobic attacks, bringing the total number of Nigerians killed since the latest wave of violence began to four. The earlier victims, Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, were both beaten to death by personnel of the South African National Defence Force in Port Elizabeth.

“We demand that South African authorities urgently investigate the incidents and bring those responsible to justice, and are urging our citizens who consider their lives at risk to take advantage of the FG sponsored evacuation flights to be transported home,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.

“There are no signs that the situation is improving.”

Government’s final window for safe return closing on July 10

The statement confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended the evacuation operation beyond the original June 30 deadline, with the fourth evacuation flight having arrived in Nigeria on July 3, 2026, following three earlier operations.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged citizens still undecided about returning to act without delay.

“Our citizens are strongly advised to take advantage of this extension and utilise the full capacity of the Aircrafts,” she said.

“Another evacuation flight will leave for Johannesburg tomorrow Tuesday 7th July to bring home our citizens. The last evacuation flight is expected to arrive South Africa on 10th July. Our Nationals are again, advised to weigh the risks regarding whether to remain or return.

“For many still sitting on the fence, they should do well to note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but not lives lost.”

The Federal Government stated that it remains committed to the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad and will put all necessary measures in place to protect them.

The evacuation operation follows a surge in xenophobic protests and attacks on migrants in South Africa, where anti-immigrant groups had set an unofficial June 30 deadline for foreigners to leave the country. President Tinubu’s decision to extend the operation beyond that deadline now into a fifth flight reflects the scale of Nigerian nationals still seeking to return and the continued deterioration of conditions on the ground.

The violence has also claimed the lives of at least five Mozambicans and five Ethiopians, while hundreds of foreign nationals have been displaced. With the last official Nigerian evacuation flight confirmed for July 10, Nigerians who remain in South Africa after that date will do so without the guarantee of government-sponsored evacuation support. No arrests have been made in connection with any of the four Nigerian deaths, and investigations remain inconclusive.