The primary group of Nigerians returned from South Africa on Thursday as a part of a government-ordered repatriation drive following violent anti-immigration protests.
There have been a complete of 262 passengers and three officers on board the Lagos-bound flight, Nigeria’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs stated. The ministry earlier introduced that greater than 1,000 Nigerians have registered to return voluntarily.
South African authorities stated the returnees had been discovered to be within the nation illegally, contradicting claims by Nigerian officers that they had been fleeing xenophobic assaults.
Nigerian authorities didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
Nigeria is the newest African nation to arrange such evacuation flights from South Africa.
Since April, a sequence of anti-immigration protests have resulted in assaults on some overseas nationals. The protests spotlight tensions between overseas staff and native residents who say foreigners are taking their jobs.
South African authorities condemned these acts as xenophobic.
Nigeria’s Overseas Minister Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu stated the president had ordered the “evacuation of Nigerian nationals who’re in danger as a result of we imagine their lives are in danger by persevering with to remain in South Africa.”
In a message to returnees, the minister stated: “The value of your peace and the protection of your kids is definitely worth the sacrifices it’s essential to make and the legacy it’s essential to depart behind as you flee battle zones and environments the place hatred thrives.”
Nigeria’s evacuation follows Ghana’s repatriation of roughly 1,000 residents from South Africa. South African officers stated a lot of the Ghanaians who returned had been within the nation illegally.
Liberia has additionally expressed concern in regards to the security of its residents in South Africa. Native media quoted President Joseph Boakai as saying the federal government would take vital measures, together with facilitating comparable returns to Liberia.
Deported Nigerians face five-year entry ban
In response to South Africa’s Division of Residence Affairs, 586 Nigerians have been discovered to be within the nation illegally and have been processed for repatriation. The following group is scheduled to go away on Monday.
Inside Minister Leon Shriver stated he had been issued an emergency journey doc by the Nigerian Excessive Fee.
He additionally stated they had been declared “undesirable individuals” and banned from re-entering South Africa for 5 years.
“Overseas nationals should be sure that their immigration standing is compliant with South African immigration regulation always and their keep is common,” he stated.
