The Federal Government has issued a final call to Nigerians in South Africa who wish to return home amid escalating anti-migrant tensions and security concerns in the country.

The appeal comes despite an unofficial June 30 deadline earlier set by rights groups for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa, with evacuation efforts continuing to accommodate more Nigerians seeking to return.

Speaking in a statement on Monday, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urged Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing repatriation exercise and make use of the remaining evacuation flights.

“Our citizens are strongly advised to take advantage of this extension and utilize the full capacity of the aircraft,” she said.

“Another evacuation flight will leave for Johannesburg tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7, to bring home our citizens. The last evacuation flight is expected to arrive in South Africa on July 10. Our nationals are again advised to weigh the risks regarding whether to remain or return.

“For many still sitting on the fence, they should note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but not lives lost.”

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed that the repatriation flight departing Johannesburg on Tuesday is expected to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday morning.

The operation marks the Federal Government’s fourth official evacuation flight since the exercise began. However, five batches of Nigerians have already returned home, including a group facilitated by businessman Kunle Soname, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ValueJet.

The minister’s renewed appeal follows reports of the deaths of two more Nigerians in South Africa, bringing the official death toll among Nigerian citizens since the outbreak of xenophobic violence to four.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu called on South African authorities to swiftly investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

“We demand that South African authorities urgently investigate the incidents and bring those responsible to justice, and are urging our citizens who consider their lives at risk to take advantage of the FG-sponsored evacuation flights to be transported home,” she said.

“There are no signs that the situation is improving.”

She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad, assuring citizens that every necessary measure would continue to be taken to safeguard their lives and interests.