The Nigerian government has arranged evacuation flights for citizens in South Africa following reports of attacks on foreign nationals and rising anti immigration tensions….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Nigeria is set to begin evacuating its citizens from South Africa following reports of attacks on foreign nationals and growing concerns over anti immigration violence in the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday.
The first group of evacuees is scheduled to depart from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday night and arrive in Lagos early on Thursday, according to ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa. Authorities did not disclose the number of Nigerians included in the initial evacuation.
Ebienfa said the Nigerian government would bear the full cost of the operation, ensuring that returnees would not have to pay for their journey home. He added that arrangements had been made by relevant government agencies to receive and support the evacuees upon their arrival.
“Upon arrival, the evacuees will undergo documentation and profiling and will receive necessary assistance before being reunited with their families,” Ebienfa said.
The evacuation comes amid rising tensions in South Africa, where a series of anti immigration demonstrations have taken place in recent weeks. Protest organisers have cited concerns over unemployment, crime and pressure on public services, while some groups have demanded that undocumented migrants leave the country.
Several anti immigration organisations have reportedly set June 30 as a deadline for undocumented foreigners to depart South Africa and warned of nationwide protests if their demands are not met.
The developments have sparked concern among African governments, with reports indicating that several countries have raised the issue with South African authorities through diplomatic channels.
Nigeria’s move follows similar action by Ghana, which last month evacuated around 300 of its citizens from South Africa amid fears over xenophobic attacks. Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the group included 26 nationals who had been detained for visa related offences.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously appealed for calm and urged both citizens and foreign nationals to respect the rule of law. In a recent weekly newsletter, he condemned violent protests and criminal acts targeting foreign nationals, stressing that such actions did not reflect government policy or the views of most South Africans.
Ramaphosa described those responsible for the attacks as opportunists exploiting legitimate social grievances under the guise of community activism.
The issue is also expected to feature at the upcoming African Union Mid Year Coordination Summit after Ghana requested a discussion on what it described as xenophobic attacks against African nationals living in South Africa.
