Authorities in Nigeria and South Africa have resolved a border entry dispute involving three Nigerian travellers, who were denied entry at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport and subsequently returned to Lagos following diplomatic intervention.
The incident occurred on Sunday when a media personality, identified as Yemi, alleged on social media that he and three other Nigerians were “unlawfully detained” despite holding valid travel documents. He claimed they were singled out on arrival, had a phone seized, and were initially denied the option of an immediate return flight.
In subsequent posts, he said the group felt unsafe and appealed for urgent assistance to facilitate their return to Nigeria.
South African immigration authorities later confirmed that the individuals had left the country, describing the action as part of “decisive enforcement of immigration laws”.
Officials maintained that border officers acted within their legal mandate and stressed that all visitors must meet entry requirements and provide accurate information during screening.
The authorities also noted that immigration officials may consider travellers’ online presence during assessments, warning that derogatory or inflammatory remarks about South Africa or its government could result in heightened scrutiny or refusal of entry.
Reports indicate the group had travelled to South Africa on valid tourist visas for the Easter period but encountered issues during secondary inspection at the airport, where officials said they were unable to satisfactorily address concerns raised.
They further stated that prior online comments attributed to one of the travellers had placed him on a watchlist, adding that he was unable to adequately clarify those remarks during questioning, which contributed to the decision taken at the point of entry.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) confirmed that the matter had been resolved, saying the affected nationals were expected to arrive in Lagos on Monday morning following diplomatic engagement between relevant authorities.
NIDCOM also attributed similar travel incidents to reliance on unregulated visa agents and incomplete understanding of application requirements, urging Nigerians to use official or licensed channels when applying for visas.
The commission advised travellers to carefully verify all application details, provide supporting documentation where necessary, and remain mindful of their digital footprint, noting that online activity can influence immigration decisions in some countries.
It also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa for its swift intervention in resolving the case.
