The Federal Government has begun taking steps to bring Nigerians back home from South Africa as concerns grow over renewed xenophobic att@cks.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, said President Bola Tinubu has directed that the safety of Nigerians abroad must come first. As a result, plans are already in motion to organize voluntary repatriation flights for those who wish to return.
According to her, the Nigerian mission in South Africa has started compiling details of affected citizens. So far, about 130 people have registered for the exercise, though officials expect that number to increase in the coming days. Nigerian community groups in South Africa are also working closely with the mission to support the process.
Ojukwu didn’t hold back in stressing Nigeria’s historical role in South Africa’s past, reminding that:
‘’Nigeria is a frontline state that made great sacrifices towards the liberation struggles of South Africa, a fact which needs to be distilled down to the younger generation in South Africa.
Nigerian lives and businesses in SA must not continue to be put at risk, and we remain committed to working with South Africa to explore ways to put an end to this xen@phobic pattern. It has become a repetitive wave, most especially prior to elections in South Africa, and anti foreigner opposition parties leverage this situation to garner votes.
Discussions with my South African counterparts on this matter are ongoing, and Nigeria recently signed a memorandum of understanding with South Africa on early warning to protect citizens of both countries, especially in times such as these.’’
She added that diplomatic engagements are ongoing, with both countries exploring solutions to prevent future outbreaks of violence and better protect their citizens.
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