The Federal Government has expressed strong displeasure over South Africa’s handling of renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerian nationals, warning that diplomatic retaliation, including a review of bilateral privileges, is under consideration.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. She criticized South African authorities for what she described as an inadequate response to the violence and rejected claims labeling affected Nigerians as illegal migrants.
According to her, Nigerian citizens in South Africa are facing harassment, with shops looted and burnt while children are intimidated in schools without meaningful police intervention. She insisted that many victims are legitimate business owners contributing to the South African economy.
Furthermore, she stressed that Nigeria’s historical support for South Africa’s liberation struggle makes the current treatment of Nigerians particularly painful and unacceptable. Odumegwu-Ojukwu also revealed that President Tinubu has approved evacuation efforts, including five Air Peace flights coordinated with relevant agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
So far, over 1,000 Nigerians have registered for repatriation, with hundreds already screened for evacuation. She added that the first evacuation flight was rescheduled for operational reasons, while rehabilitation support is being prepared for returnees. Meanwhile, anti-immigration protests in South Africa have fueled tensions, prompting Nigeria to summon South Africa’s acting High Commissioner for urgent discussions. The minister emphasized that evacuation remains a priority as Nigeria continues to monitor developments closely.
