By Omoyeni Ojeifo
About 1,000 more Nigerians are awaiting evacuation from South Africa ahead of the June 30 deadline as xenophobic tensions and diplomatic engagements continue over the safety of Nigerian nationals.
The development follows previous engagements between Nigeria and South African authorities over recurring attacks on foreign nationals and concerns about the protection of Nigerians in the country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this in a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr Magnus Eze, and obtained by Persecondnews on Thursday.
She said the President Bola Tinubu had directed that Nigerians facing danger in South Africa and willing to return home should be evacuated before the deadline.
“It is the constitutional role of the National Assembly, in determining Nigeria’s response should diplomatic engagements fail to halt the attacks on Nigerians and their businesses,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that Nigeria had continued to maintain diplomatic and economic relations with South Africa despite reported treatment of its citizens.
“Nobody is asking South African staff working there whether they are South Africans or Nigerians, and nobody is taking over their shops or businesses,” she noted.
She disclosed that more than 120 South African companies are operating in Nigeria, with no similar demands placed on their employees to prove nationality.
The minister said evacuation efforts remain ongoing for Nigerians who have indicated willingness to return home ahead of the deadline.
She said Nigeria’s response going forward will continue to be guided by diplomatic engagements and constitutional processes.
Persecondnews recalls that the first batch of 258 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa was received in Lagos on June 11 by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye.