At least 130 Nigerian citizens in South Africa have asked their government to send them home Protests in SA that are targeting foreignersNigeria's Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu says.
Amid fears of confrontation, Odumegwu-Ojukwu on Sunday said the group was the first to apply on a new scheme launched by the Nigerian government to repatriate citizens. SA may increase.
Protestors took out rallies in South Africa Pretoria and Johannesburg Last week strict action was demanded against illegal immigrationHe said undocumented aliens are putting pressure on jobs, security and public services.
Immigrant rights campaigners say foreigners have long been made scapegoats for South Africa's economic problems.
South Africa last month promised to take action against anyone carrying out xenophobic attacks, after Ghana and other African countries reported that their citizens faced violence and discrimination.
The government said that more protests were planned on 4 May and 8 May and that Nigeria would closely monitor developments.
The minister said he had already summoned the SA High Commissioner in Abuja over the situation and its diplomatic missions in SA were working with local authorities to mitigate the risk to Nigerians.
reuters