Authorities in South Africa have sent back three Nigerian citizens after refusing them entry, saying their past social media posts about the government were offensive.

The incident happened on April 5, 2026, at O. R. Tambo International Airport.

One of the affected travellers, a media personality known as Yemi (@YemiFirstson), claimed online that he and others were held against their will even though they had valid visas and travel documents.

He also said immigration officers targeted them, took a phone from them, and at first refused to allow them arrange a return flight immediately.

Yemi added that he felt unsafe during the situation and called for them to be sent back to Nigeria quickly.

South African immigration officials later confirmed the incident, explaining that the travellers were denied entry due to their previous online comments about the government.

According to the authorities, the individuals had already been placed on a watchlist because of those posts, and their inability to properly explain them during questioning made the situation worse.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) also confirmed the development, saying the three Nigerians were expected to return to Lagos the following morning.

The commission advised Nigerians planning to travel to always apply for visas through official or trusted agents, and to personally check all the information submitted in their applications.

It also warned that what people post online can affect their chances of entering another country.

NIDCOM further explained that the travellers had already left South Africa and would arrive safely in Nigeria soon.

The commission raised concerns that many visa problems come from using unverified agents who fill out application details without the applicant’s full understanding.

Because of this, travellers sometimes struggle to explain their own documents during immigration checks, which can lead to denial of entry.

In this case, one of the travellers had made negative comments online about the South African government, which led to him being monitored.

When questioned at the airport, he could not clearly defend those statements, which contributed to the decision to deny entry.

NIDCOM advised Nigerians to always handle their visa applications carefully, ensuring they understand and approve every detail before submission.

It also reminded travellers to be cautious about their online activities, as immigration officials often check social media and may act on harmful or offensive posts.

The commission added that travellers should always carry proper documents and have clear reasons for their trips.

NIDCOM said it will continue to engage South African authorities to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Finally, the agency thanked the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa for stepping in quickly and promised to keep working with relevant authorities on the issue.