Over 1,000 Nigerians Seek Repatriation from South Africa Amid Rising Xenophobic Attacks

Nigeria has commenced the screening of more than 1,000 of its citizens in South Africa ahead of planned repatriation flights, following a renewed wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in the country.

The spokesperson for Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, told AFP that the screening exercise began on Thursday, with the final number of evacuees to be confirmed once the process is completed.

According to Nigeria's High Commission in Pretoria, arrangements have been made with South African authorities to grant waivers for Nigerians with immigration-related offences, allowing them to board repatriation flights instead of facing detention.

The screening exercise is being conducted jointly by officials from the foreign ministries of both countries, alongside South African immigration and police authorities. The process is expected to conclude on Saturday, after which flight schedules and the final passenger manifest will be confirmed.

Nigeria is among several African countries repatriating citizens affected by the violence. Ghana recently evacuated nearly 300 of its nationals from South Africa, representing the first batch of approximately 800 citizens who registered for voluntary return.

Ebienfa noted that although Nigeria submitted its list of evacuees before Ghana, the country's repatriation process was delayed, with Ethiopia expected to commence its own evacuation efforts after Nigeria concludes its screening exercise.

Nigerians, Ghanaians and Mozambicans have been among the foreign nationals most affected by the latest xenophobic attacks. The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg confirmed that at least two Nigerians have lost their lives in the violence.

Meanwhile, a South African citizen-led group has issued an ultimatum demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country by June 30, further heightening tensions surrounding immigration and the safety of foreign nationals.