The President of the Nigeria Union South Africa, Smart Nwobi, says Nigerians being evacuated from the country were ready to return home prior to the xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in the country.

Mr Nwobi stated this while answering questions on the evacuation process on Wednesday.

“Some of these people wanted to go back home even prior to the xenophobic attacks. But what most South Africans dont know is that if you go to airport with expired visa, you can be arrested for contravening the laws,” he stated.

Mr Nwobi further highlighted the experiences of Nigerians in South Africa, noting those who sought to renew their visas or stay permits could not get them on time and were often targeted for indiscriminate attacks. 

‘People you see here felt unsafe and stranded. At a point in time, we called upon the Nigerian government to tell them that some Nigerians are stranded, unable to get papers. Some of them have applied for permits but were unable to get them.

“And you will know that South Africa is populous in immigration laws and once you overstayed your visa, you become illegal immigrants,” the president added. 

He added that some also had their asylum applications rejected. 

Mr Nwobi’s statement came as 268 Nigerians were expected to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday (today).

The foreign affairs ministry, in a statement by its spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, said ongoing screening by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria for Nigerian nationals willing to voluntarily return to the country due to the ongoing xenophobic attacks had been extended to Sunday, June 14, 2026, to accommodate more persons.

The statement stated, “This underscores the priority accorded to the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas, which remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a core responsibility of the ministry of foreign affairs. It also reflects the government’s determination to ensure that Nigerians affected by crises abroad receive the necessary support, dignity, and care.”

Amid xenophobic attacks in South Africa, at least two Nigerians were killed while other suffered attacks on their property and businesses.

Also, Nigerian community leaders in South Africa noted that 105 of their compatriots were killed in seven years in rainbow nation. /105-nigerians-killed-in-south-africa-in-seven-years-nicasa-nusa/