Nigeria has wrapped up its government-coordinated effort to repatriate citizens from South Africa, successfully evacuating 1,490 individuals over the course of five weeks. The initiative, which spanned from June 10 to July 15, was a direct response to the escalating anti-immigrant sentiments and protests in South Africa against foreign nationals.
The repatriation campaign concluded after achieving its objective of safely returning Nigerians amid the rising tensions. Meanwhile, other African nations like Uganda, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Kenya have also conducted similar evacuation operations for their citizens.
Despite the completion of this evacuation mission, Nigeria has expressed continued concern over the treatment and safety of foreign nationals residing in South Africa. The Nigerian government has reiterated its condemnation of xenophobia and emphasized its commitment to addressing these issues through diplomatic channels.
This move underscores Nigeria’s proactive stance in safeguarding its citizens abroad while advocating for international cooperation to address xenophobic violence. As the government closes this chapter of evacuation efforts, its focus remains on ensuring ongoing dialogue and diplomatic efforts to prevent future incidents and maintain the safety of Nigerians abroad.