Nigeria has completed the voluntary evacuation of 1,490 citizens from South Africa following a series of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, the country’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.
The final evacuation flight, carrying 305 returnees and two Nigerian government officials, arrived in Lagos from Johannesburg on July 15, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa.
The operation involved five evacuation flights organised after Nigerian officials held talks with South African authorities over growing security concerns and attacks involving foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
Abuja has repeatedly condemned violence against its citizens in South Africa, including the deaths of at least two Nigerians who were allegedly assaulted by security officials.
Ebienfa said that although Nigeria maintains strong diplomatic and economic relations with South Africa, it would not tolerate xenophobia, racial discrimination or violence directed against its citizens.
“Despite the strong bilateral ties between Nigeria and South Africa, Nigeria’s position remains clear: xenophobia, racial intolerance and violence against its citizens are unacceptable,” he said.
Relations between the two African powers have periodically come under strain over attacks against Nigerian nationals and businesses in South Africa.