The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has appealed to Nigerians still in South Africa to that advantage of the evacuation process put in place by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
She made the call on Monday following the deaths of 2 Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu caught up in Xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Minister, on her verified social media platforms on Monday , July 6, 2026, wrote, titled "LAST CALL FOR DOCUMENTATION FOR NIGERIAN NATIONALS FOR ONGOING EVACUATIONS FROM SOUTH AFRICA ON FG CHARTERED FLIGHTS."
"Nigeria remains concerned about the safety of it's citizens in South Africa as a result of the ongoing Xenophobic protests and attacks of migrants, and even more so following the deaths of 2 Nigerians, Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu during these unfortunate events.
"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.
"There are no signs that the situation is improving.
"Following the earlier evacuations of our citizens in 3 separate operations, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended the Evacuations beyond the June 30 deadline, with the fourth evacuation flight having arrived in Nigeria on 3rd July 2026.
"Our citizens are strongly advised to take advantage of this extention and utilize the full capacity of the Aircrafts.
"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, sending out distress calls after these evacuation exercises might have concluded, and when there was an opportunity to leave which they did not utilize, will not help matters.
They should do well to note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but not lives lost.
"The Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad, and will put all necessary measures in place to protect it." she stated