Nigeria Evacuates Citizens from South Africa Amid Xenophobia Surge

Nigeria evacuates citizens from South Africa – Nigeria has begun repatriating its citizens from South Africa in response to growing xenophobic tensions, as the neighboring nation faces heightened anti-migrant sentiment. This initiative follows similar actions by Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, who also evacuated their nationals ahead of a June 30 deadline. Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in Johannesburg reported that nearly 1,000 individuals expressed interest in returning home, with a recent flight carrying 268 Nigerians arriving in Lagos after departing from South Africa. The move underscores the urgent need for safety amid rising hostility toward foreign nationals in the region.

Escalating Xenophobic Violence Sparks Repatriation

The surge in xenophobic attitudes in South Africa has intensified over recent months, leading to frequent protests and targeted violence against migrants. Since 1994, many Africans have moved to the country in pursuit of economic opportunities, but current unemployment rates exceeding 30% have fueled frustration among locals. This has resulted in demonstrations in major cities, where crowds demand the removal of foreign residents, often escalating into attacks on businesses and individuals. The Nigerian community, in particular, has become a focal point of these tensions, with some fearing for their safety.

“I’m leaving because of the conditions they’ve given us here. They say we must leave on or before 30th June. And because of the way they are killing people, killing our brothers, so I’m not safe,” said Justin, a Nigerian passenger on the repatriation flight.

Justin, who has lived in South Africa since 1998, described being assaulted in a taxi and facing verbal abuse from locals. “When we tried to beg them, they started insulting us,” he added. This sense of insecurity has prompted many Nigerians to seek refuge back in their home country, despite their emotional ties to their new lives. The Nigerian Diaspora Commission has since taken steps to support this return, coordinating transportation and providing financial assistance to ease the transition.

Nigeria’s Role in Supporting Returning Nationals

Nigeria’s Consul General in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, highlighted the government’s commitment to assisting citizens affected by xenophobia. The commission has organized efforts to repatriate individuals to various regions across the country’s 36 states. Each returning Nigerian received over 100,000 naira ($73; £55) in financial aid and mobile phone credits to help them settle back home. However, challenges persist, including delays in immigration processing, which have contributed to the rise in undocumented migrants.

“Most of them were crying because I was leaving. When you talk about South Africans, not all of them are xenophobic. There are people who love you deeply, genuinely,” reflected Chinwe Osuala, a Nigerian mother of three.

Osuala, who left South Africa after being personally attacked in her business, described the trauma of the experience. “You can’t even walk around freely. You’ll be scared, the children are scared—that’s the main reason I came back,” she said. Her story illustrates the broader impact of xenophobic violence on Nigerian families, prompting a collective decision to return to the safety of their homeland. The Nigerian government’s support in this repatriation effort highlights its proactive stance in addressing the crisis.

The ongoing crisis has drawn attention to the role of political leaders in South Africa, with some critics accusing them of failing to curb the violence. Okey-Uche noted that while politicians have spoken out against xenophobic campaigns, enforcement of consequences remains lacking. Meanwhile, Mozambican officials have cited higher death tolls, attributing some fatalities to targeted attacks against migrants. These developments underscore the complex relationship between local communities and foreign nationals in the region.