ABUJA, Nigeria — Following recent anti-immigration demonstrations in South Africa, Nigerian officials announced Monday they will bring home 130 citizens who have requested to leave the country voluntarily.
Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu called the evacuation a voluntary initiative and indicated additional citizens are expected to request assistance in returning to Nigeria. She characterized the repatriation as a response to escalating tensions.
During a Monday diplomatic meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu conveyed Nigeria’s “profound concern” to South Africa’s acting high commissioner regarding the treatment of Nigerian nationals.
While the recent demonstrations targeting immigrants did not result in any Nigerian fatalities, migrants have faced ongoing hostility in South Africa, where they are frequently blamed for contributing to the nation’s unemployment crisis.
South African leadership has denounced the violent incidents and pledged to take strong action against “xenophobic acts.”
In a separate development, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola engaged in telephone discussions with his Nigerian counterpart to address “challenges posed by irregular migration” and explore potential solutions to underlying issues.
The diplomatic tensions intensified following the deaths of two Nigerian citizens in encounters with South African law enforcement last month. Following Monday’s diplomatic session, Nigeria’s foreign ministry spokesman confirmed the country has demanded a thorough investigation into these fatalities and is seeking collaboration “in providing autopsy reports” to the victims’ families.
