130 Nigerians Register for Evacuation from South Africa

Amid escalating xenophobic tensions in South Africa, at least 130 Nigerians have registered for voluntary evacuation back to Nigeria. The situation was reported by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu overseeing the evacuation arrangements as part of broader diplomatic security measures.

This initiative follows a directive from President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing the need to monitor the situation closely and ensure the safety of Nigerian citizens abroad. The Ministry noted that the number of Nigerians seeking assistance to return home is expected to increase.

The unrest in South Africa has been characterized by anti-immigrant protests in cities such as Pretoria and Johannesburg, raising concerns about the safety of Nigerians. Ojukwu confirmed that the Nigerian government has summoned the South African High Commission to address the unrest, while South African authorities, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, have condemned the violence and expressed concerns over the situation.