1,926 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa after unrest

Nigeria has evacuated 1,926 citizens from South Africa since June after anti-migrant protests and violence, the foreign ministry said.

The ministry said 14 charter flights took Nigerians home between June 10 and October 2. Nigeria has criticised the South African government's handling of the unrest and organised returns for citizens who want to leave.

South Africa has seen months of protests and sometimes deadly violence, with populist groups targeting foreigners and demanding that undocumented migrants leave. Nigeria's national assembly last month banned official visits by lawmakers to South Africa because of the violence.

South Africa has long drawn migrants seeking work, but unemployment above 30 percent and deep inequalities have fuelled tensions. More than 200,000 people have fled South Africa, according to an AFP tally based on figures released by African governments that have repatriated their nationals.