The Nigerian Consulate in South Africa, along with the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has extended a free repatriation flight to Nigerians who wish to return home permanently amid the country’s growing instability.
Frank Onyekwelu, the president of NICASA, admitted that many Nigerians have been compelled to close their stores and companies due to the circumstances.
He claims that although there isn’t yet a formal support system in place for impacted Nigerians, the consulate’s action is already giving individuals who want to depart an option.
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Many Nigerians are already expressing interest in going back home, according to Onyekwelu.
“Any Nigerian who wishes to leave South Africa permanently has been offered a free repatriation flight by the Nigerian Consulate in conjunction with NICASA, and the process is ongoing as we have recorded many Nigerians signalling interest to return home,” he stated.
In the meantime, Nigerians living in South Africa have shared their terrifying stories.
They bemoaned the fact that their livelihoods, safety, and mental health were still in danger due to the ongoing violence.
According to many who spoke with our correspondents, they were compelled to remain indoors and were now constantly afraid due to targeted attacks against foreign nationals.
In towns including Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, East London, and portions of KwaZulu-Natal, violent anti-foreigner demonstrations broke out, causing intimidation, looting, property destruction, and injuries.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has advised Nigerian company owners to temporarily close their operations in order to reduce risks and prevent losses due to the anxiety and panic this has caused within the diaspora community.
Community organizations, anti-immigrant groups, and social movements like Operation Dudula, the March and March Movement, and other similar local initiatives are reportedly driving the protests, frequently under the pretext of addressing unemployment and illegal immigration.
The demonstrations are organised by groups accusing migrants of causing economic hardship and crime, with activists demanding the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals, particularly those from African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Somalia.
Two Nigerians were killed in separate attacks linked to the anti-foreigner protests.
The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg confirmed that the two victims, Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, were killed in separate incidents linked to the attacks.
