Xenophobic Attacks: 67 More Nigerians Arrive Lagos From South Africa

According to Ireporter Online, the returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 8:45pm on Wednesday aboard a South African Airways flight.

The Nigerians were received by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.

Speaking on the development, NEMA’s South-West Coordinator, Alex Oturu, said the repatriation was facilitated with the support of Nigerians who provided the affected citizens with flight tickets and other assistance.

Oturu explained that the latest batch decided to return home due to the xenophobic challenges and growing insecurity confronting foreigners in parts of South Africa.

The development comes less than a week after another 83 Nigerians were repatriated from the country, bringing the number of recent returnees in the two batches to at least 150.

South Africa has long remained a major destination for migrants from across Africa. However, the country has also experienced recurring incidents of anti-foreigner violence, with migrants from other African countries frequently affected.

Tensions have reportedly increased in recent months following demands by some vigilante groups and sections of local communities for undocumented foreigners to leave the country.

Reports indicate that more than 176,000 people have departed South Africa in recent weeks, based on figures from African countries that have repatriated their citizens.

South African police have reportedly confirmed the deaths of at least four migrants in connection with the violence, although some foreign governments have suggested that the actual number could be higher.

The recurring attacks have continued to attract concern across the continent, with Ghana reportedly calling for the African Union to deliberate on anti-migrant violence at its next summit.

Nigeria has also pushed for the issue to receive continental attention, particularly in view of repeated concerns over the treatment of Nigerians living and conducting businesses in South Africa.

The two countries have previously experienced diplomatic tensions over allegations involving the treatment of Nigerian citizens and other African nationals in South Africa.

With the arrival of the latest 67 returnees, at least 150 Nigerians have now returned home in the two recent repatriation exercises amid the ongoing xenophobic concerns in South Africa.