Xenophobia: 1,695 Nigerians repatriated from S’Africa, says envoy

The Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Ajayi Alexander, announced that the country has repatriated 1,695 Nigerian citizens from South Africa this year due to threats against foreign nationals. This figure consists of 1,490 Nigerians evacuated through government-sponsored arrangements and 205 who returned with private support.

The Federal Government covered the cost of five repatriation flights, each accommodating at least 200 Nigerians. The mission also arranged one-way tickets for citizens seeking to leave in batches of one to three. The evacuations were voluntary, with some Nigerians who registered to return not showing up for the flights. Some repatriated individuals owned property in South Africa, while others became affected by delays in renewing residence permits.

The mission plans to prepare for another evacuation, as the Redeemed Christian Church of God has offered to sponsor the return of 500 Nigerians. Alexander appealed for other religious organizations and private individuals to contribute to funding further evacuations. The threats against foreigners in South Africa have been escalating, with anti-immigrant groups issuing a deadline for foreigners to leave by the end of September.

Alexander emphasized that the mission's primary focus is to prevent Nigerians from facing violence. Despite the security concerns, relations between Nigeria and South Africa remain strong at the highest government levels.