Nigeria Has Evacuated Its Citizens From South Africa On A Large Scale

• 17.07.2026, 9:21

Foreigners are being attacked in the country.

Nigeria has evacuated 1,490 of its citizens from South Africa following a series of anti-immigration protests and attacks on foreigners that resulted in the deaths of two Nigerians. This was reported by Der Spiegel citing the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A total of five evacuation flights were required; the last one landed in Lagos on July 15. Nigeria threatened South Africa with “taking measures” should the attacks continue, but did not specify what those measures would be. One of the two Nigerians who died likely died after being interrogated by the police.

Earlier, due to the protests in South Africa, stores and institutions were closed, many residents refused to go to work, and foreigners were leaving their homes. According to South Africa’s statistics agency, there are about 3 million migrants living in the country—roughly 4% of the population. Despite this, many protesters blame foreigners for unemployment, rising crime, and the strain on public services.