The federal government says it has launched a scheme for the voluntary repatriation of Nigerians to South Africa following xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in the former apartheid country.
In a statement on Sunday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said President Bola Tinubu has directed that evacuation flights be provided for those wishing to return home.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said arrangements were underway to collect details of the affected citizens, noting that 130 Nigerians had so far been registered with the country's mission in South Africa.
He said the number is expected to increase as Nigerian unions in the country continue to support the registration process.
The minister described the attacks as a “repeated wave”, alleging that xenophobic opposition groups sometimes take advantage of the situation to gain political support.
“The lives and businesses of Nigerians in South Africa should not be put at risk,” he said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria was engaging South African authorities to deal with the situation, adding that the two countries had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Early Warning Mechanism to protect civilians during the escalating tensions.
He also called on leaders of Nigerian organizations in South Africa to urgently compile a list of citizens who want to return home but cannot afford the airfare.
According to him, the Nigerian Consulate is working with the High Commission in Pretoria to gather enough data to arrange a special evacuation flight.
The minister said those wishing to repatriate are required to submit personal details including passport photo, full name, passport biodata page, state of origin, local government area, place of birth, current address and contact information along with proof of qualifying circumstances for repatriation.
He said registration for the exercise is free.
TheCable reported repeated xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa, including Nigerians and Ghanaians.
On Saturday, the federal government summoned South Africa's acting high commissioner to Nigeria, Bobby Moro, over the attacks.
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