Xenophobic Attacks: FG To Evacuate Willing Nigerians Back Home From South Africa

By Rotela Oguns

As the xenophobic attacks in South Africa keep festering, the Nigerian government says it has initiated plans to evacuate Nigerians who are willing to leave the former apartheid country back to their nation.

This is as President Bola Tinubu ordered the foreign ministry to embark on a repatriation of Nigerians who show readiness to return home while approving the provision of evacuation flights.

This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday by  Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said arrangements are underway to collate details of affected citizens, noting that 130 Nigerians have so far registered with the country’s mission in South Africa.

She noted that the number is expected to rise as Nigerian associations in the country continue to support the registration process.

The minister described the attacks as a “repetitive wave”, alleging that anti-foreigner opposition groups sometimes exploit the situation to gain political support.

“Nigerian lives and businesses in South Africa must not continue to be put at risk,” she said.

The minister noted that the Nigerian government is not unconcerned about the plight of its citizens but engaging with the South African authorities to address the situation.

She added that both countries recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on early warning mechanisms to protect citizens during periods of heightened tension.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also called on leaders of Nigerian organisations in South Africa to urgently compile lists of citizens who wish to return home but cannot afford airfare.

According to her, the Nigerian consulate is working with the high commission in Pretoria to gather sufficient data to arrange a special evacuation flight.

The minister said those willing to be repatriated are required to submit personal details, including passport photograph, full name, passport biodata page, state of origin, local government area, place of birth, current address, and contact information alongside proof of circumstances qualifying them for repatriation.

She added that registration for the exercise is free.

Peoplestemplate has reported how most Nigerians in South Africa have been living in panic following unrelenting attacks on foreign nationals, particularly Africans, by the citizens of the apartheid country.

The internet is awash with videos of brutal attacks launched on Nigerians and other Africans by irate youths of South Africa claiming that foreign nationals are taking jobs meant for them.