Nigeria has evacuated hundreds of its citizens from South Africa after a rise in anti-migrant sentiment and reported attacks on foreign nationals, according to a BBC report. The flight, carrying 268 Nigerians, landed in Lagos after leaving Johannesburg, as around 1,000 people registered for voluntary repatriation.

The evacuation makes Nigeria the latest African country to help citizens return from South Africa, following similar moves by Ghana, Zimbabwe and Malawi. It was also reported that Nigerian officials began repatriation efforts amid anti-immigration protests and fears over safety.

Many migrants say they are leaving because they no longer feel secure. Some returnees told reporters that they had faced threats, attacks, or pressure to leave before a June 30 deadline set by anti-migrant campaigners.

South Africa has faced renewed debate over migration as unemployment remains high and public frustration grows over jobs, healthcare and services. Migrants have increasingly been accused by some campaign groups of worsening those pressures, although Nigerian officials say foreign nationals are being scapegoated for wider system failures.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned South Africans not to take the law into their own hands. In a televised address, he announced measures targeting illegal migration, including penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers, faster deportation processes and biometric registration, while also cautioning against vigilantism.

The situation has become a wider regional concern, with several African governments monitoring the safety of their nationals in South Africa. The issue is also expected to shape political debate ahead of South Africa’s local government elections in November.