At least 130 Nigerian citizens living in South Africa have formally requested government-assisted evacuation after a fresh wave of protests targeting foreign nationals triggered widespread fear and uncertainty.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed that the requests mark the first coordinated evacuation under a newly activated repatriation support scheme. She explained that rising tensions in major cities have pushed many Nigerians to seek urgent return home as safety concerns grow.
Protests recently erupted in parts of Pretoria and Johannesburg, where demonstrators demanded stricter enforcement against undocumented migration. Protesters argued that illegal immigration places pressure on jobs, public services, and security systems. However, migrant-rights advocates counter that foreign nationals are often unfairly blamed for deeper economic struggles within South Africa.
Nigeria strongly condemned the violence reported during the unrest. Officials confirmed that two Nigerians allegedly died following assaults involving security personnel, a development that intensified diplomatic concern in Abuja. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, stated that Nigeria demands full access to autopsy reports, post-mortem documentation, and legal case files to ensure accountability.
He further emphasized that Nigerian authorities expect cooperation from South African institutions and insist that any proven misconduct must lead to disciplinary and legal consequences.
The Nigerian government has already summoned the South African High Commissioner in Abuja in response to the situation. Officials say diplomatic missions across South Africa now work closely with local authorities to reduce risks facing Nigerian citizens.
Meanwhile, South African authorities have pledged to intensify measures against xenophobic violence after similar complaints from Ghana and other African countries. Despite this, renewed protests scheduled for May 4 and May 8 have raised fresh concern across diplomatic circles.
Nigeria says it will continue monitoring developments closely while prioritizing the safety and voluntary return of affected citizens.
