Breaking: South Africa Crisis Deepens As Nigeria Initiates Evacuation Of Over 1,000 Citizens

The planned evacuation follows growing concerns about the safety of foreign nationals in South Africa, where recent protests and incidents linked to immigration issues have heightened uncertainty among many Africans residing there.

Screening for Nigerians willing to return home under a voluntary repatriation programme commenced on Thursday. Officials stated that the registration process is still ongoing, and the final number of evacuees has not been confirmed, though it is expected to exceed 1,000.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said on Friday: “The total figure is not yet available. We are expecting over 1,000 persons.”

Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria also confirmed that talks have been held with South African authorities to enable Nigerians with immigration-related challenges to return home through the repatriation scheme, rather than face detention prior to departure.

In a related development, former presidential candidate Peter Obi expressed concern that despite efforts to assist Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, many declined the offer to return.

Speaking at a dinner for Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) aspirants in Abuja on Monday, the former Anambra State governor said that during engagements with Nigerians in South Africa, some insisted that conditions in Nigeria were worse and preferred to remain abroad even in difficult circumstances.