The Federal Government has reassured Nigerians living in South Africa that measures are being taken to safeguard their welfare despite renewed xenophobic tensions and growing anti-immigration protests across the country.
The assurance comes as reports emerged that some Nigerians gathered at the Nigerian Embassy in Pretoria to express concerns over the escalating situation. Meanwhile, another group of 269 Nigerians returned to Lagos on Tuesday aboard an Air Peace flight from Johannesburg, arriving at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport as part of the government’s ongoing evacuation programme.
Tension also deepened following the reported killing of a Nigerian businessman, popularly known as “Big Joe,” who was shot by unidentified attackers outside his shop in Witbank, Mpumalanga Province, on Sunday. Authorities in South Africa have yet to confirm the motive behind the incident.
On Tuesday, thousands of South Africans took to the streets in several cities demanding the removal of undocumented migrants. Security operatives, backed by private security firms, were deployed to monitor the demonstrations amid fears they could become violent after anti-immigration groups issued a deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country.
The unrest has reportedly forced many foreign nationals to flee their homes over fears of attacks and intimidation. South African authorities disclosed that about 25,000 migrants—mostly from other African nations—have already been repatriated.
Although police described the protests as largely peaceful, they confirmed that a few incidents involving looting, vandalism, and assaults were recorded.
