Nigerians In South Africa Raise Fresh Alarm Over June 30 Threat, Call For Urgent Action From Tinubu

The Nigerian community in South Africa has raised fresh alarm over a June 30 deadline issued by South African anti-immigration groups, warning that failure to act swiftly could expose Nigerians and other foreign nationals to more violent attacks, intimidation and destruction of businesses and properties.

The warning was issued by Mr Ekos Akpokabayen, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA), who called on the Nigerian government to urgently engage South African authorities and take preventive measures before tensions escalate.

In a statement issued in Johannesburg, Akpokabayen stressed that the June 30 ultimatum was not issued by the South African government but by anti-foreign immigration groups whose activities have continued to generate anxiety among migrant communities.

According to him, the situation could create an atmosphere that criminal elements may exploit to target foreign nationals and their businesses.

“It is always better to prevent such situations before they escalate because the consequences may be severe,” Akpokabayen said.

Akpokabayen warned that opportunistic criminals could use the unrest as a cover to loot and destroy businesses owned by foreigners, as witnessed during previous outbreaks of xenophobic violence in South Africa.

He urged the Nigerian Mission in South Africa to intensify monitoring of developments and maintain constant engagement with Nigerian community leaders across the country.

He noted that regular communication would ensure that Nigerians remain informed about unfolding events and measures being taken to safeguard their security.

The NUSA leader also advised Nigerians living in South Africa to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding while supporting one another during the period of uncertainty.

Akpokabayen expressed confidence that proactive diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and South Africa could help avert any breakdown of law and order and protect residents regardless of nationality.

The renewed concerns come as the Nigerian community in South Africa appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in delays affecting the evacuation of Nigerians who have volunteered to return home.

Speaking in a telephone interview from Pretoria on Tuesday, the President of NUSA, Mr Smart Nwobi, disclosed that about 300 Nigerians scheduled to leave South Africa on Monday, June 15, were unable to travel due to what officials described as technical issues.

According to Nwobi, the affected Nigerians had assembled at the Nigerian Mission in Pretoria ahead of their departure before being informed that their flight had been cancelled.

“The Nigerians had gathered at the Nigerian mission in Pretoria and were due to travel home on Monday. Officials of the mission told them that the flight had been cancelled due to technical issues.

“As a Union, we approached the mission to demand clarifications on what could be the technical issue because the people were stranded,” he said.

Nwobi said reports available to the union suggested that Air Peace, the airline expected to transport the evacuees, might not have received payment.

“We are using this opportunity to call on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and resolve challenges holding up the repatriation,” he said.

According to him, President Tinubu has demonstrated goodwill toward Nigerians seeking to return home by approving five chartered flights for the evacuation exercise.

He noted that the situation was attracting international attention and required immediate intervention from the Nigerian government.

“The June 30 deadline set by the March and March groups in South Africa is around the corner. The groups have been threatening our people,” Nwobi said.

“Most Nigerians who have been cleared to be repatriated are now stranded because of the flight cancellation.

“The issue is that the second batch of Nigerians is supposed to leave yesterday (Monday), but those who are responsible for the journey have not given clarity on when they will travel, and this is the second of the five batches planned for evacuation,” he added.

He said that NUSA and other community organisations had stepped in to support stranded passengers.

According to Nwobi, the union persuaded the Nigerian Mission to open the Nigerian House to accommodate some of the stranded Nigerians, while various state associations also provided temporary shelter for others.

Nwobi recalled that 275 Nigerians have already been evacuated in the first batch, while more than 1,000 Nigerians are expected to be airlifted back to Nigeria through five chartered flights.

South Africa has witnessed repeated waves of xenophobic violence over the past decades, with African migrants frequently accused of taking jobs, engaging in crime and placing pressure on public services.

Nigerians have often been among the victims, alongside migrants from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Somalia and other African countries.

Major outbreaks occurred in 2008, 2015 and 2019, leaving several people dead, many injured, and numerous foreign-owned businesses destroyed.

The 2019 attacks particularly affected Nigerians and triggered diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa.

In response, the Nigerian government organised the voluntary evacuation of hundreds of Nigerians through the Nigerian High Commission and other relevant agencies.

Both countries subsequently established diplomatic mechanisms and cooperative initiatives focused on migration, security and consular matters.

However, recent anti-immigration campaigns by some groups have revived fears among migrant communities, with many worried that the June 30 deadline could fuel hostility and expose foreign nationals to renewed attacks despite not being an official directive of the South African government.