The Federal Government has announced plans to repatriate more than 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa amid ongoing xenophobic protests and unrest in the country, which has long attracted African migrant workers.
The development follows similar moves by other African countries, including Mozambique and Mali, which have indicated plans to evacuate their citizens, while Ghana has already evacuated hundreds of its nationals from South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the development on Friday, noting that screening for Nigeria’s voluntary repatriation scheme began on Thursday.
Similarly, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria said it had “negotiated waivers with host authorities” to allow Nigerians with immigration-related offences to leave freely on repatriation flights.
The Federal Government had condemned the activities and rhetoric of anti-foreigner groups in South Africa, warning that rising hostility towards African migrants could lead to wider diplomatic and social consequences.
Last month, President Bola Tinubu directed Nigerian diplomatic missions in South Africa to immediately establish crisis response units to assist Nigerians affected by the growing anti-foreigner tensions in the country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed the directive after discussions with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, amid growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians living there.
Meanwhile, Nigerians facing threats or emergency situations have been advised to contact South African security agencies and also reach out to newly established emergency support channels through Nigerian diplomatic missions.