A group of Nigerians stranded in South Africa on Monday staged a protest at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, expressing frustration over delays in evacuation arrangements amid renewed xenophobic tensions in the country.
The protesters, many of whom have registered to return home, gathered at the diplomatic mission demanding immediate action from Nigerian authorities. In a video circulating online, the aggrieved citizens were seen and heard chanting, “We no go gree o, we wan go,” as they called for faster processing of their repatriation.
The demonstration comes as the Federal Government continues efforts to evacuate Nigerians affected by recent anti-immigrant attacks and growing hostility toward foreign nationals in South Africa.
The protesters complained that despite assurances from authorities, many of them remain stranded and uncertain about when they will be flown back to Nigeria.
Their protest follows the successful evacuation of the first batch of returnees earlier this month. A total of 262 Nigerians arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard an Air Peace flight arranged by the Federal Government.
The evacuation operation was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with relevant agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and security services.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to bringing home all Nigerians who wish to leave South Africa before the June 30 deadline.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, assured affected citizens that the government remains focused on their welfare and safety.
According to a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, the minister said, “All Nigerians who have indicated interest in returning home will be evacuated before the June 30 deadline.”
She further emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to ensure that no Nigerian willing to return home is abandoned amid the ongoing crisis.
The government has continued to monitor developments in South Africa while working with relevant stakeholders to complete the evacuation process for the remaining citizens.
