Only 271 Evacuated as 15,000 Nigerians Remain Stranded Ahead of South Africa Xenophobia Deadline

Over 15,000 Nigerians waiting to return home remain stranded in South Africa even as the federal government evacuated 271 volunteers today. Officials say repatriation flights will continue beyond the June 30 deadline issued by anti-immigrant groups. Some evacuees allege local officials are demanding bribes to add names to the flight manifest, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denies any extortion. An Air Peace plane is scheduled to lift off late Monday night, bringing the latest batch to Lagos before more departures out of Johannesburg. The Foreign Affairs Minister has vowed that no Nigerian who wants to return will be left behind. Agencies including NEMA, NIS, FAAN and NIDCOM will handle documentation and health screening at Murtala Mohammed Airport. A safety advisory urges those who remain in South Africa to stay vigilant. Recent reports also confirm two Nigerians were killed there amid rising xenophobic tensions.

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