FG Repatriating Over 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa Amid Rising Xenophobic Tensions

The Federal Government has commenced the repatriation of over 1,000 Nigerian nationals from South Africa as anti-immigrant tensions rise in the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kimiebi Ebienfa told AFP on Friday that screening for Nigeria’s voluntary repatriation scheme started Thursday, with an expected total of over 1,000 persons.

“Total figure not out yet,” he said. “We are expecting over a 1,000 persons.”

In a communique dated Tuesday, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria said it had “negotiated waivers with host authorities” so that those with immigration-related offences would be allowed to leave on the eventual repatriation flights rather than be detained.

The move by Abuja comes after Ghana recently repatriated hundreds of its citizens from South Africa in response to a wave of protests and violence targeting foreigners. South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised economy, has long attracted workers from across the region, but saddled with an unemployment rate of over 30 per cent, it has seen repeated bouts of xenophobic unrest.

An ultimatum by one citizen-led group for illegal migrants to be expelled by June 30 has raised fears of violence after past anti-immigrant unrest that claimed dozens of lives. The South African government has said it is stepping up enforcement against undocumented immigrants but urged citizens not to take matters into their own hands.

Sources: Punch (AFP)