Xenophobia: Nigeria begins screening over 1,000 citizens for repatriation from South Africa

NIGERIA has commenced the screening of more than 1,000 of its citizens in South Africa ahead of plans to repatriate them following a renewed wave of xenophobic violence in the country.

Spokesperson, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, told AFP on Friday that the screening process started on Thursday as authorities work to determine those eligible for evacuation.

“We are expecting over 1,000 persons,” Ebienfa said, adding that the final number of Nigerians to be repatriated had not yet been confirmed.

In a statement issued earlier this week, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria said it had secured waivers from South African authorities to allow Nigerians with immigration-related offences to depart through repatriation flights instead of facing detention.

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Reuters reported that officials from the foreign ministries of both countries, alongside South African immigration and police authorities, are jointly conducting the screening exercise. The process is expected to conclude on Saturday, after which the final list of approved returnees and flight arrangements will be determined.

The development comes weeks after Ghana repatriated nearly 300 of its nationals from South Africa, representing the first batch from about 800 citizens who had registered to return home.

Ebienfa noted that Nigeria had submitted its clearance list ahead of Ghana, but Ghana’s repatriation exercise was prioritised.

He also disclosed that Ethiopia would be the next country expected to begin repatriation arrangements after Nigeria’s screening and logistics process is completed.

Nigerians, Ghanaians and Mozambicans were among the African nationals most affected during the latest xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

According to the Nigerian consulate in Johannesburg, at least two Nigerians lost their lives during the violence.

Tensions escalated after a South African citizens’ group issued a June 30 deadline demanding the removal of undocumented migrants from the country.