Nigeria Set To Repatriate Over 1000 Citizens From South Africa Amid Xenophobic Attacks

The Nigerian government has begun arrangements to evacuate citizens willing to return from South Africa following a fresh wave of anti-immigrant hostility that has forced hundreds of foreign nationals from their homes and raised fears of renewed xenophobic violence.

Authorities confirmed that the registration and screening process for a voluntary repatriation programme commenced on Thursday, with officials anticipating that more than 1000 Nigerians could take advantage of the initiative.

Speaking on Friday, the Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the exact number of Nigerians seeking to return had yet to be finalised but noted that the figure was expected to surpass 1000.

“Total figure not out yet. We are expecting over 1,000 persons,” Ebienfa reportedly told AFP.

The development comes amid mounting anxiety among migrant communities in South Africa, where anti-foreigner protests and hostilities have intensified in recent weeks.

Similar concerns recently prompted Ghana to begin the evacuation of its citizens from the country.

In a statement issued earlier this week, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria disclosed that it had secured concessions from South African authorities to allow Nigerians facing immigration-related violations to leave the country through the repatriation exercise instead of being detained.

South Africa has historically attracted migrants from across the African continent because of its relatively advanced economy.

However, persistent economic challenges and unemployment levels exceeding 30 per cent have fuelled recurring tensions over immigration.

Recent protests targeting foreign nationals have reignited debates about migration, regional integration and the treatment of African migrants within the continent.

The situation worsened after a citizen-led campaign reportedly issued a June 30 deadline demanding the removal of undocumented migrants from South Africa, triggering fears of a repeat of previous xenophobic attacks that left dozens dead.

Last month, Ghana repatriated about 300 citizens in the first phase of an operation expected to eventually bring home approximately 800 nationals.

While the South African government has intensified operations against undocumented migrants, it has also appealed to citizens not to engage in vigilantism or take enforcement into their own hands.

According to official statistics, more than three million foreign nationals reside in South Africa, representing about 5.1 per cent of the country’s population.

A majority of them originate from member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Meanwhile, hundreds of migrants reportedly fled their homes along South Africa’s south coast on Thursday as anti-migrant violence spread across affected communities.

Witnesses alleged that groups of local residents moved through neighbourhoods searching for foreign nationals and forcing them to leave their residences.

Many displaced migrants sought shelter in community halls, while others fled with their belongings.

Video footage circulated by AFP showed migrants carrying suitcases and bags along highways after abandoning their homes amid the unrest.

Some migrants said they were targeted regardless of their legal status.

One Zimbabwean migrant, identified as Thomas Vincent Balogoi, recounted his experience, saying, “The people just chased us away. They didn’t ask us whether we have documents or not. They just chased us away like dogs.”

Another migrant, Michael Markson, said fear had spread through foreign communities, with many people remaining indoors to avoid attacks as tensions continued to rise.