Unfortunate death of Roméo Katompa

Roméo Katompa Kaboya, widely known by his nickname "Bololo," was a professional cruiserweight boxer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who tragically died on July 17, 2026, after reportedly being burned alive during an attack in Johannesburg, South Africa. Local diaspora accounts and widespread social media updates indicate the killing is linked to a violent wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals. However, official entities like the South African Police Service (SAPS) have yet to release a formal statement confirming the exact details.

Profile Overview

• Full Name: Romeo Katompa Kaboya
• Nickname: "Bololo"
• Date of Death: July 17, 2026
• Place of Birth: Mbuji-Mayi, DRC
• Residence: Gauteng, South Africa
• Professional Record: 4 wins (4 KOs), 2 losses, 0 draws.

Boxing Career

Katompa fought out of South Africa as an orthodox cruiserweight, making his professional boxing debut in July 2018. He was heavily respected within regional boxing circles and was prominently known for serving as a high-profile sparring partner for Junior Makabu, the former WBC cruiserweight world champion. His final professional bout took place on November 8, 2025.

Personal Life and Outrage

Katompa had built his life in South Africa over several years, where he was married to a South African woman and had one child. His brutal killing has sparked immense grief and severe outrage among the Congolese diaspora and the broader African sports community, prompting widespread online calls for swift investigations and justice against the perpetrators of xenophobic violence.

By Olagunju Success Taiwo

7th batch: 305 distressed Nigerians evacuated from South Africa

On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, a batch of 305 Nigerian returnees arrived safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos from Johannesburg, South Africa. Operated by Air Peace, this flight officially concluded the Nigerian Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme, bringing the total number of evacuated citizens to 1,490 across five coordinated phases.

The Air Peace flight departed OR Tambo International Airport at 6:30 AM South African time and landed in Lagos at 11:30 AM after a five-hour departure delay.

The aircraft carried 308 people in total, including the 305 evacuated citizens and three government officials overseeing the process.

The emergency evacuation was initiated under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's "Renewed Hope Agenda" in response to escalating xenophobic attacks, anti-immigration protests, and security threats against foreign nationals. Tensions spiked heavily ahead of a June departure deadline enforced by local anti-migrant vigilante groups.

Upon arrival, the returnees were met by a multi-agency government team, including the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) led by Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Returnees underwent medical screening and documentation. They were provided with temporary stipends and food packs containing essentials like rice, beans, and oil.

Many of the returnees had to abandon homes, legal businesses, and investments to escape the violence. NiDCOM has urged Nigerian state governments to step up with long-term rehabilitation and reintegration structures.

The Nigerian government is actively gathering documented evidence of the property and assets left behind by its citizens to pursue formal compensation claims through diplomatic channels with South Africa.

By Olagunju Success Taiwo

6th batch: Another 40 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa

A final batch of 40 stranded Nigerian nationals has been successfully evacuated from South Africa, arriving at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. This latest arrival officially brings the total number of repatriated citizens under this recent humanitarian intervention to 1,174 returnees.

The voluntary repatriation programme was heavily intensified following an escalation of anti-immigrant protests and rising xenophobic tensions in South Africa. A June 30th deadline issued by local anti-migrant groups had further heightened safety concerns.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved and funded the emergency flights, directing that the operations continue past the initial June deadline until all cleared, registered citizens were brought home safely.

The overall evacuation spanned multiple flights utilizing airlines like Air Peace and ValueJet. The final flight was closely coordinated through Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi, the Acting High Commissioner to South Africa.

To help the returnees resettle after losing businesses, properties, and livelihoods, the government and corporate bodies have provided immediate relief packages:

The Imo State Government provided ₦1 million each to returnees from its state.

Telecommunications giant MTN gifted ₦100,000 cash alongside free SIM packs loaded with ₦50,000 worth of data.

The JAAL Foundation pledged empowerment programmes for 50 women, while independent church organizations offered free accommodation, education support, and skills acquisition training.

By Olagunju, Success Taiwo

5th batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa

The fifth batch of 270 evacuated Nigerians arrived safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos from South Africa on Wednesday, 8 July 2026. This flight marks the completion of the initial five-flight voluntary repatriation programme approved by President Bola Tinubu to rescue citizens from escalating anti-immigrant hostilities and violent protests.

The returnees landed in Lagos aboard an Air Peace charter flight.

This latest arrival pushes the total number of government-evacuated Nigerian citizens past 1,000 returnees since the operations began in June.

Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

The repatriation was triggered by a severe wave of anti-foreigner sentiment and demonstrations across South Africa. Protesters issued a June 30, 2026, ultimatum demanding undocumented migrants leave the country, which quickly spiralled into coordinated threats, intimidation, and the looting of foreign-owned businesses. Many of those on the fifth flight recounted harrowing experiences, stating they had to leave behind their shops, vehicles, and life savings empty-handed to protect their lives.

Because many citizens fled in a state of emergency, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced plans to formally engage South African authorities regarding financial compensation. Nigeria's acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, stated that the government is actively documenting the abandoned assets, properties, and livelihoods of the returnees to present for diplomatic compensation claims.

By Olagunju Success Taiwo

4th batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa

Photo credit: Kanyi Daily News

The fourth batch of 266 to 271 evacuated Nigerian citizens safely arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Friday morning, 3 July 2026. This latest government-funded flight brings the total number of repatriated Nigerians to 859 citizens as the voluntary evacuation program continues.

The Reason: Over 1,000 Nigerians registered to leave South Africa due to growing fears for their safety following intense anti-immigrant protests and intimidation by local anti-migrant groups. This followed an unofficial 30 June deadline given by some local activist groups for undocumented foreign nationals to leave.

The returnees were flown out of Johannesburg on an Air Peace charter flight. The Nigerian government stressed that the evacuation is completely free of charge, dismissing false rumours that officials were demanding bribes to get names on the manifest.

Upon arrival in Lagos, officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) received the citizens. They are being provided with medical checks, temporary accommodation, profiling, and assistance to help them safely reunite with their families and restart their lives back home

The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, has been executing these flights in waves to safely remove everyone who voluntarily requested help:

1st Batch: Arrived 11 June 2026 (268 people via Air Peace).

2nd Batch: Arrived 24 June 2026 (66 people via South African Airways, supported by a private donor).

3rd Batch: Arrived 30 June 2026 (269 people via Air Peace).

4th Batch: Arrived 3 July 2026 (266–271 people via Air Peace).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that at least three more flights are scheduled over the coming days to bring home the remaining registered and cleared citizens. Nigeria is not alone in this effort, as other nations like Ghana, Malawi, and Zimbabwe have also been repatriating thousands of their citizens due to the recent unrest.

If you are tracking these updates for a specific reason, let me know. I can give you details on the upcoming flight schedules, help you find the official NiDCOM contact channels for stranded relatives, or share information on reintegration packages available for returnees.

By Olagunju, Success Taiwo