Xenophobia: Nigeria concludes evacuation plans for citizens in South Africa

Nigeria's Federal Government is concluding its evacuation plans for Nigerian citizens in South Africa who wish to return home due to escalating xenophobic attacks. The screening exercise, which began on Thursday, is set to wrap up on Saturday.

This crucial process is being conducted collaboratively by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, and South African police and immigration authorities. The screening aims to establish a definitive count of Nigerians eligible for evacuation, after which the government will finalize arrangements for deploying aircraft to facilitate their return.

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The screening exercise of Nigerians in South Africa that have registered to be evacuated will end today (Saturday). The process commenced on Thursday, 4th May, and it is a joint exercise by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, the South African Police, and Immigration.

The situation in South Africa has become increasingly tense, with renewed anti-foreigner protests and attacks heightening fears among migrant communities. These incidents evoke memories of previous waves of xenophobic violence that have periodically erupted since 2008, tarnishing South Africa's reputation despite its status as a preferred economic destination for many African migrants.

South African citizens have often attributed rising unemployment, crime, and strain on public services to migrants, fueling attacks on foreign-owned businesses, including looting and destruction of property. The recent unrest has also reportedly affected schools, leading to bullying and harassment of schoolchildren. In response to these safety concerns, the Nigerian government announced plans to evacuate willing citizens who no longer feel secure in the country.

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At the end of the screening, we will have a definite figure of those who have been cleared for evacuation. Thereafter, the government will finalise the details about deployment of aircraft to bring them home.