Nigerians who returned to the country, Tuesday, following xenophobic attacks in South Africa, have narrated their horrific experiences in the hand of citizens of the former Apartheid nation.
They arrived aboard Air Peace Boeing 777-200 wide-body aircraft at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammad Airport into the waiting hands of officials of various agencies of the federal government.
The returnees, totaling 271 stranded Nigerian nationals, touched down at 10:35 a.m. at the Cargo and Hajj Terminal where they were processed before they were allowed to depart to unite with their families.
The operations, which are being coordinated by the federal government following concerns arising from xenophobic tensions in parts of South Africa, officials said reinforced the Nigeria government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad.
The latest humanitarian mission brings Air Peace’s total airlift under the ongoing South African evacuation exercise to 533 Nigerian nationals, following the successful evacuation of 262 citizens on June 11.
The airline affirmed that the achievement further underscores the airline’s unwavering commitment and operational readiness to support national emergency response efforts whenever called upon.
A returnee, Emmanuela Akagosu, told journalists stating: “My experience in South Africa is not good at all. They are not accommodating. They are so jealous because Nigerians are hardworking and enterprising, so they feel threatened.”
According to her: “South Africa is not a safe place to go. It’s not safe at all because all the time they tell us to leave or be killed. They constantly threaten us and say if we don’t leave their country, they will kill us.
“The last time they came to the complex where I was staying, I was not at home, but I was told what happened. My life was no longer safe, so I had to leave. I didn’t come back with anything apart from my two boxes. I left everything behind in South Africa.
“It’s not everybody that has permits because they don’t easily issue them. Even when you apply, you keep waiting without any result. I will tell Nigerians who want to go to South Africa not to even try it because South Africa is not safe,” she said.
An official of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dipo Odebowale, explained that organisations and corporate bodies lend support to the troubled Nigerians in various ways.
Odebowale said, “A church donated N100, 000 to each returnee. Pastor Bolaji Idowu also gave N100, 000 to each returnee, while MTN provided N100, 000 and recharge cards worth N50,000 to each returnee.”
On his part, the Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency, Lucky Agazuma, said: “We have food packs and transportation arrangements to convey them back to Edo State. Governor Monday Okpebholo is waiting to receive them and ensure their reintegration into society.”