XENOPHOBIA: FG COMPLETES PLANS TO EVACUATE NIGERIANS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Read Time:2 Minute, 12 Second

By: Muftau Fatimo

The Federal Government has announced that the screening of Nigerians in South Africa who registered for evacuation following renewed xenophobic attacks will be concluded on Saturday.

The update was contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

Ebienfa said the exercise, which began on Thursday, is being carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South African authorities, including the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the police, and immigration officials.

He noted that the screening would establish the exact number of Nigerians eligible for evacuation, after which the government would complete arrangements for aircraft deployment to facilitate their return to Nigeria.

The screening exercise of Nigerians in South Africa that have registered to be evacuated will end today (Saturday). The process commenced on Thursday, 4th May, and it is a joint exercise by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, the South African Police, and Immigration.

“At the end of the screening, we will have a definite figure of those who have been cleared for evacuation. Thereafter, the government will finalise the details about deployment of aircraft to bring them home.”

The development comes amid renewed anti-foreigner protests and attacks in South Africa, which have heightened fears among migrant communities and revived memories of previous waves of xenophobic violence that first erupted in 2008 and resurfaced periodically over the years.

While South Africa remains a preferred destination for many African migrants because of its relatively advanced economy, recurring outbreaks of xenophobic violence have continued to threaten the country’s reputation as a regional economic powerhouse.

South African citizens have often blamed migrants for rising unemployment, crime, and pressure on public services, accusing foreigners of taking jobs from locals. Such sentiments have frequently fuelled attacks on foreign-owned businesses, with shops looted and property destroyed during outbreaks of violence that have left many people dead.

The latest unrest was reported to have affected schools, resulting in bullying and other forms of harassment against schoolchildren.

In response to the latest attacks, the Federal Government last month announced plans to evacuate willing Nigerians from South Africa to ensure the safety of citizens who no longer feel secure in the country.

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu had earlier disclosed via her official X account that 130 Nigerians initially enrolled for the evacuation programme, noting that the figure was expected to increase as more citizens expressed interest in returning home.

However, recent reports indicate that the number of Nigerians seeking voluntary repatriation may have risen to over 1,000.