FG Extends Final Evacuation For Nigerians In South Africa As NANS Issues Four-Day Ultimatum

The Federal Government has announced the final phase of its evacuation exercise for Nigerians willing to return from South Africa, warning that the security situation remains unstable as xenophobic attacks continue.

Authorities urged Nigerians who believe their lives are at risk to take advantage of the remaining evacuation flights, stressing that it can no longer guarantee the safety of those who choose to remain in the country amid the ongoing violence.

The advisory was contained in a statement shared on the official X account of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

The latest appeal comes just days after the Federal Government condemned the killing of two Nigerians in South Africa. The victims were identified as Emeka Charles Iroegbu, who was allegedly killed by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in Pretoria, and Musa Yunana Joe, popularly known as Big Joe, who was reportedly shot dead in front of his shop in Witbank, Mpumalanga.

Following the incidents, the Nigerian government demanded a thorough investigation into the killings and the prosecution of those responsible.

In the statement, the minister said the Federal Government remains deeply concerned about the welfare of Nigerians living in South Africa as attacks targeting foreign nationals persist.

She also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu approved an extension of the evacuation exercise beyond the initial June 30 deadline due to the continued security concerns.

NANS Gives South African Businesses Four-Day Ultimatum

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a four-day ultimatum to South African businesses operating in Nigeria, demanding that they leave the country.

The directive was announced in a statement issued in Enugu by the National Executive Director of Corporate and Private Sectors Engagement, Bestman Okereafor.

According to Okereafor, South African business interests would face the reaction of Nigeria’s more than 43.1 million students if they failed to comply after the expiration of the ultimatum.

NANS also stated that it would begin picketing South African businesses immediately after the deadline, while considering additional actions.

The student body called on the Federal Government and the African Union to adopt stronger measures against South Africa over what it described as repeated hostile actions against fellow Africans.

“It is on record that Nigeria played a major role in support of South Africa during the apartheid struggle and should never be repaid with disloyalty, disrespect and global embarrassment,” he added.