The Federal Government has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the way South African authorities and security agencies have handled the ongoing harassment, intimidation, and attacks targeting Nigerians in the country, as efforts intensify to evacuate citizens affected by the recent wave of xenophobic violence.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the government’s position known while speaking with State House correspondents on Monday, stressing that Nigeria was deeply concerned about the treatment of its citizens despite the long-standing relationship between both countries.
Her remarks came as the Federal Government activated a crisis response mechanism aimed at bringing home Nigerians affected by attacks and looting incidents that have left many citizens vulnerable and distressed in various parts of South Africa.
The minister also dismissed claims by some South African officials that the majority of Nigerians affected by the crisis were undocumented migrants.
Responding to questions on the status of Nigerians seeking repatriation, she said: “To say that Nigerians who are in South Africa doing legitimate business are illegal migrants is absolutely untrue.”
She further emphasized that Nigerians had every reason to be disappointed by the developments, considering the historic role Nigeria played during South Africa’s struggle against apartheid and its journey toward independence.
“Nigeria is not happy because Nigeria has sacrificed much for the South African struggle for independence.
“Nigeria sacrificed quite a lot, committed funds, committed resources to aid South Africa. In schools, seats were reserved for South African students. My own generation carried placards; we demonstrated in front of South African assets.
“Sometimes we even got arrested for doing this. Nigeria is a serious frontline state, and Nigerians are not happy about how they have been treated. They are not asking other migrants to leave; they’re only asking black migrants to leave.”
On whether Nigeria could consider reciprocal measures against South African interests in the country, the minister said the option remained under consideration.
“Well, that is a situation that we are considering. This is up to our legislature. This is a decision that has to be taken at the highest level of government, but it’s not off the table,” she stated.
Addressing the delay in the planned evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa, Ambassador Ojukwu clarified that the exercise had not been scheduled to begin on Monday as widely believed, explaining that authorities were still finalising documentation and clearance procedures.
“It (repatriation) wasn’t actually supposed to start today (yesterday). It was just that we were supposed to have rounded off the formalities today. The repatriation is on course. Mr. President himself has reiterated that this aircraft must come to South Africa, and our citizens who are imperiled will have the chance to get on this aircraft to be brought back to their country.”
She explained that the number of Nigerians seeking evacuation continued to increase as more citizens registered with Nigerian authorities.
“The figures keep increasing. There are several processes, as you know, that have to be undertaken by South African Homeland Security.
“We ensure that we screen our citizens who want to return; they also are part of the screening process, and once the citizens are cleared, they are given a paper that indicates they are free to go, essentially.
“So, once this situation started getting worse, the President directed that a crisis response unit be immediately set up within our consulate and also the Nigerian Mission in Pretoria.
“As things are, we have people in different provinces; we also have people who need assistance to get to the Nigerian consulate in Johannesburg, so we’re in the process of all that, but the documentation, which is the most important aspect of this, has been done.”
The minister added that the government was working closely with emergency response agencies to ensure that returnees receive the necessary support upon arrival in Nigeria.
“This evacuation is being undertaken with NEMA. We’re doing that with various government agencies and parastatals to ensure that once they arrive, they can be rehabilitated,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government officially postponed the evacuation of the first batch of 270 Nigerians from South Africa until Wednesday, citing logistical considerations that required additional time to resolve.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the flight, initially scheduled to depart Johannesburg on Monday evening, would now leave two days later.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the postponement became necessary to allow authorities conclude all outstanding arrangements linked to the evacuation exercise.
The repatriation programme forms part of Nigeria’s response to the recent anti-migrant unrest in South Africa, where foreign nationals have increasingly become targets of violence and intimidation.
The ministry disclosed that more than 1,000 Nigerians had already completed screening procedures and were cleared for evacuation.
It also noted that additional information regarding flight schedules and arrival arrangements in Lagos would be released once final approvals and clearances are obtained.
Ebienfa further revealed that the Federal Government would fully fund the evacuation process, abandoning earlier suggestions that returnees might bear part of the cost.
Speaking previously to BBC News Pidgin, he explained that unlike the 2019 xenophobic crisis, when businessman Allen Onyema provided free flights for stranded Nigerians, the government had decided to take complete responsibility for the operation.
“The Nigerian government will not wait for philanthropists to donate their planes before doing what it is supposed to do and evacuate its citizens facing trouble anywhere in the world,” he said.
The latest development followed a national address by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who pledged to tackle illegal immigration while condemning attacks on foreign nationals.
In the televised address on Sunday, Ramaphosa said his administration would strengthen efforts to address migration challenges while urging citizens not to resort to violence.
“We must end illegal migration, we must deal with the challenges. We reject the notion that we must tolerate illegal migration. We can enforce our laws, we can secure our communities,” he said.
At the same time, he appealed for calm, urging South Africans to resolve grievances peacefully.
“We must overcome the challenges through peace and love, not through fear, anger or violence,” the South African leader added.
