Xenophobia: More Nigerians depart S’Africa

Nigerian nationals are experiencing fear and anxiety following the repatriation of a second batch of individuals who departed South Africa, organized through a humanitarian initiative backed by the Redeemed Christian Church of God. This development has prompted many Nigerians residing in South Africa to refrain from engaging in their usual activities due to the anti-migrant demonstrations held on September 30.

A Nigerian lawyer and activist, Austin Okeke, highlighted the community's distress as their compatriots returned to Nigeria. As the co-facilitator of the repatriation, Okeke expressed that Nigerians are experiencing trauma and terror in South Africa since the incidents. He criticized the South African government for failing to protect the interests of Nigerian citizens in the country, stating that the government has lost control, allowing mobs to dictate affairs.

South African authorities staged anti-migrant protests in major cities such as Johannesburg, Durban, and Pretoria, urging undocumented Nigerians and other African nationals to leave the country. While these demonstrations did not escalate into violence, they have heightened safety concerns for Nigerians due to the presence of protesters armed with traditional weapons.

The Nigerian Union South Africa's National Publicity Secretary, Akindele Olunloyo, disclosed that the protests aimed to address the recent surge in femicide cases in South Africa. Additionally, the National President of the Nigerians Citizens Association South Africa, Frank Onyekwelu, reported that law enforcement agencies were present during the protests to monitor the situation and prevent potential violence.

The presence of security forces and barricades was meant to ensure the safety of Nigerian nationals amidst the unrest. No fatalities or instances of looting were reported during or after the protests, attributed to the effective security response. Both Onyekwelu and Olunloyo emphasized that the protests highlighted the need for addressing the increasing femicide cases in South Africa, combined with calls for the departure of undocumented migrants.