Nigerian returnees describe attacks and losses after years in South Africa

Nigerians returning from South Africa have described attacks, robberies and the loss of businesses after years spent seeking economic opportunities there. Among the returnees is Chidi Francis, who left Nnewi, Anambra State, for Johannesburg in 2018. He said he raised $2,000 to process his travel documents and initially moved between several South African cities before opening a grocery shop.

Francis said the business grew enough for him to buy a shop and support his family. He later married a Zimbabwean woman, with whom he has two boys. He said repeated attacks eventually destroyed the business and forced him to leave.

According to his account, attackers broke into the shop and took his goods several times. He also said he was robbed at gunpoint while walking in the area. During one attack, he suffered an injury to his left eye and now uses dark glasses to cover it.

Francis said he had been physically attacked more than five times. He also alleged that three men shot dead his brother while robbing him and claimed that other African migrants, not only Nigerians, were targeted. He returned to Lagos aboard South African Airways flight SA060 with 104 other Nigerians.

The Federal Government said he was among 1,821 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa since June 10, 2026, with support from other organisations and individuals. The latest evacuation was funded by a $265,854 donation from the Redeemed Christian Church of God to buy one-way tickets for 500 distressed Nigerians. It was the 13th consular evacuation since the exercise began.

Other returnees, including Vivian Ogbeneochuko of Delta State and Christian Okafor of Anambra State, described the attacks they witnessed as severe. The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg confirmed that three Nigerians were killed in separate incidents between Friday and Monday, naming Kenechukwu Igwemmadu, Olaniyi Olatunde and Christian Nnaemeka as victims.