Stranded Nigerians Protest Delays in South Africa Evacuation

Stranded Nigerians in South Africa staged a protest due to delays in their evacuation process, expressing frustration over the prolonged wait for repatriation flights. The protest occurred outside the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, where demonstrators demanded immediate action from the Nigerian government.

Video footage circulating online showed Nigerians chanting for urgent intervention amid growing concerns for their welfare, exacerbated by renewed anti-immigrant tensions and xenophobic fears in parts of South Africa. Reports indicate that many Nigerians are facing severe hardships, including lack of stable shelter and access to basic necessities.

Although the Nigerian government had commenced efforts to evacuate citizens, with 258 Nigerians successfully evacuated so far, 742 others remain stranded across different provinces, leading to heightened anxiety and calls for expedited evacuation. The situation has worsened living conditions for those affected, prompting warnings about security risks.

As of the time of reporting, there was no official response from the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria regarding the protests.