A Nigerian returnee from South Africa, Chikezie Igwe, has recounted the death of a friend who died shortly before he could join the Nigerian government’s evacuation programme.
Speaking in an interview aired on News Central TV on July 4, 2026, Igwe said he encouraged fellow Nigerians stranded in South Africa to take advantage of the government’s evacuation flight home.
“I have a friend who lives in Tembisa. I told him we should come back home now that the President of Nigeria has sent a plane to pick us up from South Africa. He said, ‘I will register.’ I registered on the 7th and returned today. I heard the man passed away on Saturday,” he said.
Igwe said he was deeply shocked by the news, having recently discussed returning to Nigeria with his friend. He said the deceased had intended to register for the evacuation programme but died before completing the process and returning home. He did not disclose the cause of the man’s death.
