The Federal Government has evacuated 105 Nigerians from South Africa following concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying 100 of the returnees were evacuated with funding from a $265,854 donation by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG.

The donation is intended to fund one-way tickets for 500 distressed Nigerians seeking to return home.

The remaining five returnees were evacuated with funding provided by a private Nigerian citizen.

The latest batch, comprising 82 adults and 23 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060 at about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 24.

They were received by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, NAPTIP, NEMA and other government agencies.

The ministry said the latest evacuation was the 13th consular evacuation from South Africa since the exercise began on June 10, bringing the total number of Nigerians evacuated to 1,821.

Of the total, the Federal Government said it had fully funded the evacuation of 1,388 Nigerians.

The ministry said Nigeria’s diplomatic mission was continuing discussions with RCCG leadership in South Africa, other philanthropic organisations and individuals to facilitate the return of more Nigerians in distress.

It added that some prospective returnees were undergoing clearance with the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities and would be evacuated after the necessary processes were completed.

The Federal Government expressed appreciation to RCCG, led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its donation, as well as other organisations and individuals supporting the evacuation exercise.

The government also expressed concern over what it described as persistent xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

It said it would continue diplomatic engagements with South African authorities to address the attacks and improve the safety and welfare of Nigerians living in the country.

The government urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain vigilant and law-abiding and maintain contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg for consular assistance.