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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

I fled South Africa without my children after three xenophobic attacks — Nigerian man

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A Nigerian man, Okafor Ugochukwu, fled South Africa after experiencing three separate xenophobic attacks that destroyed his businesses and left him homeless.
  • He had lived and worked in South Africa for about 10 years, establishing a clothing boutique and later selling other accessories.
  • Ugochukwu was forced to leave his two daughters behind in South Africa, describing it as one of the most painful decisions he has ever made.

Okafor Ugochukwu, a Nigerian national, has recounted his harrowing experience of fleeing South Africa after surviving three distinct xenophobic attacks that decimated his businesses and rendered him homeless. Ugochukwu, originally from Anambra State, Nigeria, had relocated to South Africa in 2014 seeking better opportunities and spent nearly a decade building a life there.

I’ve been there like 10 years. I left Nigeria in 2014 because I wanted to travel. I have been to Tanzania, I have been to Mozambique, but I spent my good 10 years in South Africa. I was doing business there. I had a boutique where I sold clothes.

— Okafor UgochukwuDescribing his decade-long stay and business activities in South Africa.

After initially traveling through Tanzania and Mozambique, Ugochukwu settled in Johannesburg, where he established a clothing boutique and achieved financial stability. He had planned to return to Nigeria in 2017, but immigration issues with his passport prevented his departure. Consequently, he reinvested his remaining funds into expanding his business.

His entrepreneurial dreams suffered a significant blow in 2018 when a wave of xenophobic violence destroyed his business. With financial assistance from relatives in Nigeria, he started a new venture selling earphones, hair products, and other accessories. However, this business also fell victim to subsequent xenophobic attacks, forcing him to flee with nothing.

They came to my place. They burnt my place and destroyed my business. I lost everything. I had no choice but to run because my life is very important.

— Okafor UgochukwuRecounting the destruction of his business during a xenophobic attack.

"I left my place without anything. I left broke. My house and everything were destroyed. I’m stranded. I’m homeless. I’m down," Ugochukwu lamented. The final attack convinced him to abandon his life in South Africa and return to Nigeria, leaving behind his home, business, and personal belongings.

I left my place without anything. I left broke. My house and everything were destroyed. I’m stranded. I’m homeless. I’m down.

— Okafor UgochukwuExpressing his state after fleeing South Africa.

One of the most agonizing aspects of his departure was leaving his two daughters behind in South Africa. He expressed deep sorrow and disappointment over this decision, highlighting the profound personal cost of the violence he endured.

I do have two girls back there. I’m so sorry and disappointed.

— Okafor UgochukwuRevealing the painful decision to leave his daughters behind in South Africa.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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