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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Nigerians seek refuge at embassy in South Africa amid fears of anti-immigrant protest

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Dozens of Nigerians sought refuge at their country's High Commission in South Africa, fearing anti-immigrant protests.
  • Evacuation efforts are underway, but many Nigerians remain stranded and uncertain about their departure.
  • The Nigerians cited fears of violence linked to planned demonstrations as the reason for seeking safety at the embassy.

Dozens of Nigerians in South Africa have taken refuge at their country's High Commission, fearing potential xenophobic attacks amid planned anti-immigrant protests. The situation unfolded as evacuation flights, organized by the Nigerian Federal Government, continued, though many citizens remained stranded.

By God’s grace, I think the Nigerian government, they are trying to make plans for the citizens of Nigeria, maybe Wednesday or Friday.

— Stranded NigerianExpressing optimism about future evacuation flights.

A video shared by News Central TV showed a crowd of Nigerians gathered at the embassy, with uncertainty surrounding the latest evacuation exercise. Officials prioritized women and children to stay within the embassy premises overnight while making arrangements for others.

One stranded Nigerian expressed optimism about future evacuation flights, potentially later in the week. "By God’s grace, I think the Nigerian government, they are trying to make plans for the citizens of Nigeria, maybe Wednesday or Friday," the individual said. They acknowledged improvements in the evacuation process but highlighted the fear driving many to the embassy.

Because of the rumour we are hearing that there will be a crisis tomorrow… we are here to just take safety. We don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, so we are in the Nigerian embassy for safety.

— Stranded NigerianExplaining the fear driving Nigerians to seek refuge at the embassy.

"Because of the rumour we are hearing that there will be a crisis tomorrow… we are here to just take safety. We don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, so we are in the Nigerian embassy for safety," explained one person. Many had fled their homes, describing the embassy as a "father's house" for safety from the planned march.

When you’ve been chased and when you’re afraid, the next thing you could do is to run to your father’s house.

— Individual at the embassyDescribing the feeling of fear that led them to the Nigerian embassy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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