The Federal Government has said Nigeria may consider retaliatory actions following reported xenophobic a.ttacks against Nigerians in South Africa, which have triggered plans for the evacuation of citizens willing to return home.
Officials also disclosed that the scheduled repatriation flights for Nigerians, initially set to begin on Monday, have been delayed due to ongoing documentation and screening processes carried out in collaboration with South African authorities.
The screening exercise involving over 1,000 Nigerians resident in South Africa began last Thursday and was expected to conclude on Saturday, with evacuation flights originally planned for the following Monday.
Speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said arrangements are being finalised to bring home Nigerians who have expressed interest in returning.
When asked whether Nigeria could respond by restricting privileges for South African nationals in the country, the minister said such options were not ruled out.
She said: “Well, that is a situation that we are considering. This is up to our legislature. This is a decision that has to be taken at the highest level of government.
“But it’s not off the table.
“Nigeria is not happy because Nigeria has sacrificed much for the South African struggle for independence.
“Nigeria sacrificed quite a lot, committed funds, committed resources to aid South Africa. In schools, seats were reserved for South African students. My own generation carried placards; we demonstrated in front of South African assets.
“Sometimes we even got arrested for doing this.
“Nigeria is a serious frontline state, and Nigerians are not happy about how they have been treated. They are not asking other migrants to leave; they’re only asking black migrants to leave.”
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
The economic Xenophobic nigerians are going in the hands of tinubu is worst than xenophobia in SA.
Blacks against blacks