South Africa Deports Over 500 Nigerians Over Immigration Violations

The South African government has commenced the repatriation of 586 Nigerian nationals flagged for residing in the country without valid legal status. The first group of 258 returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday, June 11, 2026, amid ongoing regional tensions regarding the safety of foreign nationals.

According to immigration authorities, the repatriation is being carried out in two phases using charter flights. The initial flight departed South Africa on Thursday morning with 268 passengers, while the remaining individuals are scheduled to be flown back on Monday, June 15, 2026.

The South African Department of Home Affairs confirmed that the Nigerian High Commission assisted in the process by issuing emergency travel documents to facilitate the departures. Under South Africa’s Immigration Act, those repatriated have been designated as undesirable persons and face a five-year ban from re-entering the country.

South African Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, stated that the exercise reflects a broader, ongoing push to enforce local immigration laws. Schreiber noted that lawful deportations and repatriations have risen by 46% over the last two years, attributing the increase to technological updates, including biometric tracking and digital identity upgrades for foreign arrivals.

Upon landing in Lagos, the returnees were received by officials from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) alongside medical and security personnel. The arriving citizens underwent standard profiling, documentation, and health screenings, with temporary transit accommodation arranged before they rejoin their families.

Addressing the return of the citizens, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, emphasized that the evacuation underscores the federal government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad. Enikanolaiye stated that diplomatic discussions are ongoing with South African authorities to address underlying regional frictions and ensure the safety of Nigerians remaining in the country.

The repatriation operation was managed through a joint effort involving Nigeria’s ministries of aviation, health, and humanitarian affairs, alongside immigration and security agencies. Additional arrival flights are anticipated as the repatriation process concludes early next week.