‘SOUTH AFRICANS ARE KILLING US DAILY’ — AKWA IBOM INDIGENES APPEAL TO GOV ENO FOR HELP
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
Akwa Ibom indigenes and other Nigerians stranded in South Africa have appealed to Governor Umo Eno and the Federal Government to intervene and assist them in returning home.
The Nigerians said attacks that have reportedly claimed the lives of foreigners and led to the destruction of businesses and properties had continued despite assurances from the South African authorities.
Speaking in separate telephone interviews on Thursday, some of the stranded Nigerians said the hostility towards foreigners was deeply rooted and would not disappear overnight.
Bassey Clinton Akpan, an indigene of Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, alleged that some South Africans continued to openly display hostility towards foreigners, particularly Nigerians.
Akpan said Nigerians had also been warned of another planned mass protest against foreigners, during which businesses owned by non-South Africans could be targeted and foreigners potentially forced to leave the country.
He said many Nigerians now gathered around the Nigerian Consulate daily, hoping to get updates on another evacuation exercise.
According to him, only five aircraft were provided by the Federal Government during the previous evacuation exercise, which he said was insufficient to accommodate everyone seeking to return.
“Many of us sold our properties, moved out of our apartments and are now stranded, without food or means of livelihood,” Akpan said.
He explained that he missed the evacuation flights because he was taking his final examinations at a South African college and expected to complete his studies in October 2026.
Akpan said he had little reason to remain in South Africa after completing his studies, given the persistent fear among Nigerians living in the country.
Another Akwa Ibom indigene, Unyime Festus, said several appeals to the Federal Government for another evacuation exercise had not received a positive response.
Festus said raising 1,000 rand for a return ticket was beyond his financial capacity, adding that a Nigerian compatriot was allegedly killed the previous week after attempting to defend himself inside his apartment.
He claimed the victim’s body was left on the street for three days before health officials eventually removed it.
Festus appealed to Governor Eno not to abandon Nigerians still stranded in South Africa.
He said the stranded Nigerians were particularly concerned about a planned protest against foreigners reportedly scheduled for September 30, 2026, fearing that remaining in the country until then could expose them to further attacks.
According to him, the number of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa has declined significantly as several countries continue to evacuate their citizens.
Festus also alleged that some Nigerians had experienced mistreatment at health facilities because they were foreigners. He further claimed, without providing evidence, that some medical workers had deliberately administered harmful substances to foreign patients.
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