A fresh wave of anti-immigrant protests in South Africa has prompted the return of 269 Nigerians under a Federal Government evacuation programme, as Abuja reassured citizens remaining in the country that efforts were ongoing to guarantee their safety.   According to Punch, the latest group arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard an Air Peace flight from Johannesburg on Tuesday. The evacuation followed an earlier flight that brought home 66 Nigerians on June 24, bringing the total number of returnees to 335. The evacuations coincided with demonstrations across several South African cities, where thousands of protesters demanded the removal of undocumented migrants. Police maintained a heavy security presence as anti-migrant groups marked a self-imposed June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country. Although authorities described the protests as largely peaceful, isolated incidents of looting, vandalism and assaults were reported in Johannesburg, Soweto, Germiston and KwaZulu-Natal. South African police said about 25,000 migrants had already been repatriated this year, while around 50,000 undocumented migrants had been arrested since January. In a statement, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs said more evacuation flights would be deployed to return Nigerians who had completed screening and voluntarily requested repatriation. The ministry added that Nigeria would continue engaging South African authorities at the highest diplomatic level to safeguard its citizens. Director of the African Affairs Department, Ambassador Haruna Ali-Gombe, who received the returnees in Lagos, conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s assurance that the government remained committed to protecting Nigerians abroad. Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, said confusion arose after some community members encouraged people to gather at the Nigerian mission before they had been officially invited for evacuation. He explained that the embassy was conducting the exercise in batches and urged those awaiting evacuation to follow official communication rather than unofficial announcements. Ajayi also confirmed that the Nigerian mission was working with South African police to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported killing of a Nigerian businessman, popularly known as “Big Joe”, in Mpumalanga Province. He added that investigations into previous deaths involving Nigerians remained ongoing. The President General of the Nigerian Union South Africa, Smart Nwobi, said Nigerians had been advised to remain indoors during the protests while the union, the Nigerian High Commission and other organisations continued providing shelter, food and relief materials for displaced citizens. According to him, more than 600 Nigerians have already been screened for evacuation, while additional flights are expected in the coming days. The Deputy Chairman of the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa in the Western Cape, Leo Azebeokhai, called on the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic engagement with Pretoria. He argued that delays in passport renewals and immigration permits had left many Nigerians undocumented through no fault of their own. Retired Nigerian diplomats also urged stronger diplomatic action, including sustained engagement with South African authorities, improved coordination of evacuation efforts and long-term measures through the African Union to address recurring xenophobic violence. Meanwhile, the National Association of University Students warned that it would organise nationwide protests in Nigeria if South African authorities failed to provide stronger protection for Nigerians within one week.

Military personnel from the Army Depot in Osogbo have been accused of invading student hostels at the University of Osun (UNIOSUN), allegedly assaulting students and confiscating dozens of mobile phones.   According to TheCable, the incident occurred on Monday night and affected several off-campus hostels near the university. Speaking during a visit to the affected hostels on Tuesday, Vice-Chancellor Clement Adeboye said the university had formally reported the incident to the management of the Army Depot. “We have reported to the management of the depot. It is sad that the Army Depot, located close to the campus, which we felt would give us security cover, could eventually release men that will subject our students to this kind of harrowing experience,” he said. UNIOSUN spokesperson Ademola Adesoji alleged that more than 20 students had been identified as victims of the operation. He claimed some female students reported being stripped and indecently touched by the soldiers, while several male students were also assaulted. Adesoji said two students were hospitalised following the incident, with one discharged on Tuesday morning. He further alleged that the soldiers seized more than 60 devices, including mobile phones, from the students. “Over 60 gadgets, including phones, were seized from the students. Five of the perpetrators were identified and brought to the campus this morning,” Adesoji told TheCable. “But they were later returned to the military base. The army division said they would be dismissed. “The VC has taken the matter up with the army authority. We can’t confirm the alleged rape yet.” There has been no official response from the Nigerian Army at the time of filing this report.

The Plateau State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling APC of attempting to undermine Nigeria’s democracy through what it described as politically motivated court actions aimed at weakening opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.   Speaking at the party’s headquarters in Jos on Tuesday, Plateau State Chairman, Comrade Solomon Ndam, maintained that the NDC remains a legally registered political party despite a recent Federal High Court judgment delivered in Lokoja, Kogi State. Ndam described the June 26, 2026 judgment as “illegal and organised”, alleging that it was initiated by the Peace Movement Party, which he claimed is neither a registered political party nor a legally recognised organisation. According to him, the NDC filed an appeal against the ruling on June 29 alongside applications for a stay of execution and an injunction, which have been served on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He insisted that there is currently no court order directing the deregistration of the party. Party says candidate nominations are underway Ndam disclosed that INEC has granted the NDC access to its candidate nomination portal, allowing the party to upload candidates in line with the commission’s election timetable. He said the party had already uploaded its presidential candidate on June 29 and would submit National Assembly candidates before the July 11 deadline, while governorship and state assembly candidates would be uploaded before July 17. The chairman recalled that the NDC secured its registration following a Federal High Court judgment on December 10, 2025, after a legal dispute with INEC. He said the commission had initially declined registration over concerns that the party’s logo resembled that of the APC before the court ruled in its favour. Ndam also claimed the party has registered more than 13 million members nationwide and conducted congresses and primaries in line with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines. Criticism of APC and Plateau government The NDC chairman commended INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan for what he described as professionalism and urged the electoral body to continue acting within the law. He further alleged that the APC was using judicial processes to frustrate opposition parties, claiming that parties including the ADC, SDP, PRP and NDC had faced similar legal challenges. Ndam also referenced Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, claiming he represents a political alternative that unsettles entrenched interests. He called on the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations and the media to scrutinise the activities and funding of the Peace Movement Party, saying greater transparency was needed. Turning to Plateau State, Ndam criticised Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration over insecurity and development, alleging that thousands of residents remain displaced and accusing the government of failing to protect lives and property. He urged Plateau residents and Nigerians to support the NDC, describing it as a platform committed to equal opportunities and good governance.