The attacks, intimidation, 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.
This was said by Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in an interview with State House correspondents on Monday in Abuja.
Given Nigeria’s longstanding support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement, the minister claims that many Nigerians are dissatisfied with the way their countrymen are treated there.
Nigeria is unhappy since it gave up a lot to support South Africa’s independence movement.
“Money and resources were committed by Nigeria. Many Nigerians actively supported the anti-apartheid struggle, and seats were set aside for South African students, she added.
Although any decision will be made at the highest level of government, Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that the Federal Government has not ruled out any response, including potential retaliatory actions.
That is a scenario we are thinking about. This is not off the table, but it is up to our lawmakers 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 wished to go back.
She clarified that paperwork and other legalities were being completed even though the airlift did not start on Monday as originally planned.
The repatriation is proceeding as planned. The airplane will travel to South Africa, and our impacted compatriots will have the chance to return home, Mr. President has reaffirmed, she said.
According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the number of Nigerians requesting evacuation is still increasing, and screening procedures involving both South African and Nigerian authorities are still in progress.
She revealed that Nigeria’s embassy in Pretoria and its consulate in Johannesburg had been instructed by President Bola Tinubu to establish a crisis response unit right once in order to organize aid for impacted persons.
The minister insisted that many of the impacted Nigerians were lawful residents and company owners, rejecting allegations that they were undocumented immigrants.
She stated that while some Nigerians experienced intimidation and insecurity, others had experienced attacks on their residences and companies.
“It is completely false to claim that Nigerians conducting lawful business in South Africa are illegal migrants,” she stated.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu went on to say that the Federal Government had established plans to assist and rehabilitate returnees in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other pertinent authorities.
“This evacuation is being carried out with NEMA and other government agencies to guarantee that those who return are appropriately rehabilitated,” she stated.
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