Frustration mounted among stranded Nigerians in South Africa on Monday as dozens gathered at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to protest delays in their repatriation amid growing concerns over xenophobic attacks and uncertainty surrounding their return home.
The protesters, many of whom said they had been waiting for weeks to be evacuated, demanded clarity from Nigerian authorities on the status of the repatriation process. They later staged a peaceful demonstration within the premises of the High Commission, expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of arrangements being made for their return.
In a video circulated by News Central TV, the aggrieved Nigerians were seen chanting, “We wan go, we no go gree,” as they called on both Nigerian and South African authorities to expedite the evacuation exercise.
The protest comes despite the commencement of the repatriation programme earlier this month. The first batch of evacuees arrived in Nigeria on June 11 when a flight carrying 268 Nigerians landed in Lagos from Johannesburg.
However, hundreds of others remain stranded in South Africa, with reports indicating that nearly 600 Nigerians are still awaiting transportation back home. Many of those left behind have reportedly exhausted their financial resources and are struggling to secure accommodation and other basic necessities while waiting for evacuation arrangements.
The repatriation exercise follows heightened concerns over xenophobic tensions and fears among undocumented migrants in South Africa. Some advocacy groups and campaigners have reportedly set a June 30 deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country, increasing anxiety among affected communities.
Several African countries, including Ghana, Zimbabwe and Malawi, have already completed evacuation efforts for many of their citizens, leaving some stranded Nigerians questioning the delay in Nigeria’s response.
The protesters urged the Federal Government to accelerate the evacuation process and ensure that all affected citizens are safely returned home before the end-of-month deadline.
Authorities are yet to provide an updated timeline for the evacuation of the remaining Nigerians awaiting repatriation from South Africa.
