The attacks, harassment, and forced relocation of Nigerians in South Africa have once again been forcefully denounced by the Federal Government, which has stated that it is taking proper action in response.
In an interview with State House correspondents on Monday in Abuja, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, made this claim.
Given Nigeria’s past support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement, the minister claims that many Nigerians are dissatisfied with how their countrymen are treated there.
Nigeria is unhappy since it made significant sacrifices in support of South Africa’s independence movement.
Nigeria made financial and material commitments. Many Nigerians actively supported the anti-apartheid struggle, and seats were set aside for South African students, she claimed.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that while any decision would be made at the highest level of government, the Federal Government had not ruled out any response, including potential retaliatory actions.
We are thinking about that scenario. “This is not off the table, but it is up to our legislature and the highest levels of government,” she stated.
Regarding the evacuation of impacted Nigerians, the minister stated that plans were in place to repatriate those who were willing to go back.
She clarified that paperwork and other legalities were being completed even though the airlift did not start on Monday as planned.
“Repatriation is proceeding as planned. She stated, “Mr. President has reaffirmed that the aircraft will travel to South Africa and our citizens who are impacted will have the chance to return home.”
According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the number of Nigerians requesting evacuation is still growing, and screening procedures involving South African and Nigerian authorities are still in progress.
She revealed that in order to coordinate aid for impacted residents, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate creation of a crisis response unit at Nigeria’s embassy in Pretoria and its consulate in Johannesburg.
The minister insisted that many of the impacted Nigerians were lawful residents and company owners, rejecting allegations that they were illegal immigrants.
She claimed that while some Nigerians experienced intimidation and insecurity, others had experienced attacks on their residences and companies.
“It is completely false to say that Nigerians in South Africa conducting lawful business are illegal migrants,” she stated.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further stated that the Federal Government had established strategies to assist and rehabilitate returnees in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other pertinent agencies.
“To ensure that those who return are properly rehabilitated, this evacuation is being undertaken with NEMA and other government agencies,” she stated.
