Stranded Nigerians in South Africa face hunger, homelessness amid flight delays

Hundreds of Nigerians in South Africa are stranded, facing hunger and homelessness as repatriation flights arranged by their government experience delays. Many who traveled from various provinces for registration and screening have depleted their savings and are now left without adequate food, shelter, or transportation.

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The situation has become increasingly distressing as some of our nationals have been left sleeping in difficult conditions, uncertain of when they will return home.

Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, President of the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), expressed distress over the situation. He stated that some Nigerians are sleeping in difficult conditions, uncertain about when the next evacuation flights will depart. "Several have exhausted their limited resources after travelling long distances in good faith, believing arrangements had been adequately concluded for their departure," Onyekwelu said.

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Several have exhausted their limited resources after travelling long distances in good faith, believing arrangements had been adequately concluded for their departure.

Onyekwelu highlighted that many Nigerians who followed official directives for registration and screening have endured severe hardship. He reported allegations of humiliation, insensitive treatment, and poor communication from some officials during the process. "Our citizens are not merely statistics. They are fathers, mothers, children, students, workers and entrepreneurs who have found themselves in desperate circumstances. Their cries for help must not go unanswered," he urged.

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Many of these citizens travelled from distant provinces across South Africa after being instructed to report for registration and screening. Today, numerous families, including women and children, are stranded without shelter, food, transportation or the financial means to sustain themselves.

NICASA is calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deploy emergency relief and establish a humanitarian support mechanism for the stranded Nigerians. They also implore relevant government agencies to expedite the remaining evacuation flights to ensure all registered citizens are returned home promptly. The association also noted a lack of adequate representation, information, and support from the Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Alexandra Ajayi.

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Of grave concern are reports from affected citizens alleging humiliation, insensitive treatment and poor communication from certain officials during the registration and screening exercise.