The Nigerian government has cancelled a planned second evacuation flight for its citizens stranded in South Africa, leaving hundreds in limbo without any official explanation. The affected individuals are now calling on authorities to provide clarity and a new timeline for their return.
First evacuation completed, second cancelled
On June 11, 2026, a flight organised by the Federal Government brought over 260 Nigerians home from South Africa. The flight, operated by Air Peace, landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos amid rising xenophobic attacks against migrants in South Africa. A second flight was scheduled for June 15, but on the eve of that date, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa issued a brief statement: "There will be no evacuation flight tomorrow." No further details were provided.
Stranded citizens demand answers
The cancellation has left many Nigerians disappointed and distressed, according to Smart Nwobi, President-General of the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA). He noted that many of those affected lack the financial resources to return independently and had been relying on the government's assistance. "The inability of the scheduled flight of 15 June 2026 to airlift these Nigerians has further compounded their challenges and raised serious concerns among affected individuals and their families," Nwobi said.
NUSA has called on the Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant agencies to publicly explain the reasons behind the cancellation and outline concrete next steps for the stranded citizens.
Worsening crisis in South Africa
The cancellation comes as anti-migrant tensions continue to escalate in South Africa. Social media videos show the impact of the crisis on migrants, including a Nigerian man with valid documentation and a business employing over 20 South Africans who was still told to leave. He expressed willingness to go but asked for compensation for his assets, which was refused.
In another incident, a Ghanaian woman described how her property was looted and burned, leaving her and her 14-year-old son sleeping on a sidewalk alongside nearly 200 other migrants. These scenes are unfolding against a backdrop of an informal deadline set by some South Africans for June 30, by which undocumented migrants are expected to present themselves for repatriation or face enforcement action.
The Nigerian government has not yet announced when the next evacuation flight will take place, leaving hundreds of its citizens in a precarious situation.
