PRETORIA, South Africa — At least 500 Nigerians are currently awaiting evacuation from South Africa amid rising xenophobic attacks, bringing the total number of repatriated citizens to over 1,300 as the Nigerian government intensifies efforts to bring its nationals home.
The development follows weeks of anti-immigrant violence that has targeted foreign nationals across South Africa, with businesses looted, properties vandalised, and lives lost. The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria has been working tirelessly to process the evacuation of citizens who have registered to return home, with many seeking refuge at the mission amid fears of further attacks.
According to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, approximately 500 citizens have been processed and are awaiting flights back to Nigeria. This brings the total number of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa to over 1,300, following earlier batches of returnees who arrived in Lagos on June 11 and June 30.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has assured that all Nigerians who have indicated a willingness to return home will be evacuated before the end of the evacuation exercise. The government has also continued to engage South African authorities through diplomatic channels to address the root causes of the xenophobic attacks and to ensure the safety of Nigerians who choose to remain in the country.
The Nigerian High Commission has been operating an emergency helpline for citizens in distress and has been coordinating with community leaders to identify those in need of urgent assistance. The commission has also been providing temporary shelter, food, and medical care to displaced Nigerians.
The wave of anti-immigrant sentiment has strained South Africa’s diplomatic relations with several African countries, with Malawi, Ghana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe also initiating repatriation of their citizens. South Africa’s Border Management Authority reported that about 25,000 people had been repatriated in recent weeks, including more than 15,000 Malawians.
The Nigerian government has reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad and has pledged to continue to provide consular support to Nigerians affected by the crisis. The government has also urged Nigerians to remain calm and to cooperate with authorities to ensure a smooth evacuation process.
As the evacuation exercise continues, the focus remains on ensuring that all Nigerians who wish to return home are safely evacuated, while diplomatic efforts to address the underlying causes of the xenophobic attacks continue. For now, the priority is the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens in South Africa.
