Federal Government don assure Nigerians wey dey South Africa say anybody wey don indicate interest to return home because of ongoing xenophobic attacks go reach Nigeria before June 30.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, make the assurance for statement wey her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, release on Thursday.
According to her, President Bola Tinubu government remain committed to the safety and welfare of Nigerians wey dey abroad and no Nigerian wey register to come back go dey left behind.
She explain say evacuation exercise don already start. The first batch of 258 Nigerians already land for Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 11, where Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, receive dem.
Bianca talk say about 1,000 Nigerians don register for evacuation, meaning say more than 742 people still dey expected to return in the next batches before the deadline.
She also reveal say President Tinubu don direct authorities to quickly assist Nigerians wey dey face danger, harassment and intimidation for South Africa and wey willingly choose to return home.
The minister express worry over reports of discrimination and attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants. She say Nigerian government dey engage South African authorities through diplomatic channels and dey explore legal ways to address the matter.
“When e reach situations like this, person suppose dey calm and careful. But when dem dey harass your citizens, e become serious concern,” she talk.
She add say some of the affected Nigerians don marry South Africans and get children wey dem born and raise for the country.
Bianca also criticize what she describe as unequal treatment of Nigerians, despite the fact say many South African companies like MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic and Protea Hotels dey operate successfully for Nigeria.
According to her, activities of anti-migrant vigilante groups don spoil South Africa image and weaken the country reputation as symbol of African unity after apartheid.
She further reveal say South African authorities refuse to activate an early warning agreement wey both countries sign for October 2025 to protect citizens during periods of tension, citing procedural reasons.
Meanwhile, countries like Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique don already begin evacuating their citizens from South Africa because of growing security concerns.
Recall say at least 270 Nigerians, wey be the first batch of returnees following recent xenophobic attacks, arrive Lagos earlier this month.
