Stranded Nigerians protest at Pretoria mission over delayed evacuation from South Africa

Nigeria citizens awaiting government-assisted repatriation from South Africa on Monday staged a protest at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, expressing frustration over delays in the second phase of the evacuation programme.

The protest comes despite assurances by the federal government that no Nigerian willing to return home would be abandoned ahead of a June 30 deadline issued by anti-migrant groups for undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa.

On June 18, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria's minister of foreign affairs, assured Nigerians resident in South Africa that the government remained committed to evacuating all citizens who had opted for voluntary repatriation.

The assurance followed the successful evacuation of 258 Nigerians from South Africa in the first government-coordinated repatriation flight amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks.

The federal government had announced plans to operate four additional repatriation flights. However, the second batch, initially scheduled for June 15, has yet to take place, leaving hundreds of registered returnees stranded.

Many of the protesters said they had given up their accommodation and livelihoods after enrolling for the evacuation programme, only to be left in difficult conditions following the postponement.

Addressing the protesters, Smart Nwobu, president of the Nigerian Community in South Africa, urged the federal government to fast-track the evacuation of those still awaiting return.

"As you know, only one flight left. The question is, when is the second batch? When is the third batch? When is the fourth batch?" Nwobu said.

"We were promised that the second batch would be here on June 15. That date has come and gone. People have been rendered destitute, and their conditions have worsened.

"Nigerians are now sleeping on the streets, and some have had their documents cancelled as a result of registering for the evacuation."

Nwobu said the demonstration was intended to draw the attention of the Nigerian government to the plight of stranded citizens and to press for the completion of the evacuation exercise before the June 30 deadline.

"We are appealing to the government. That is why they are here—to express their frustration and show that they are unhappy with the situation," he said.

"The Nigerians gathered here are calling on the government to expedite the process and airlift them on or before June 30."