Nigeria Addresses Repatriation of 268 Citizens from SA

The Federal Government of Nigeria has addressed the circumstances surrounding the repatriation of 268 Nigerians from South Africa, dismissing claims by South African authorities that they were illegal migrants. According to Temitop Ajayi, the Nigerian High Commissioner in Pretoria, these individuals lost their legal status due to delays in renewing their immigration documents, a situation exacerbated by a backlog in the South African Home Affairs system.

The first batch of evacuees arrived in Lagos aboard an Air Peace flight as part of a voluntary evacuation program initiated in response to recent xenophobic attacks. President Bola Tinubu is closely monitoring the evacuation process and has resisted pressures to suspend it despite concerns from diplomats.

The government has scheduled additional evacuation flights for June 15, 18, 22, and 24. The Nigerian government plans to strengthen engagement with South Africa to address future threats against Nigerians living there, while also challenging claims of illegal migration.