Nigeria has evacuated another 33 of its nationals from South Africa following continued xenophobic incidents in the country, the Nigerian Foreign Minister, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, has said.
The returnees are from Delta, Ogun, Imo, Lagos, Enugu, Oyo, Edo, Ondo and Bayelsa states.
Mrs Odumegwu Ojukwu said the situation in South Africa is not improving. Two Nigerian citizens have been killed this month in South Africa. They are James Uchechukwu Nwankwo and Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle.
The Federal Government has condemned the targeted killings and continues to call on the South African authorities to investigate the deaths and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended official visits to South Africa and has also boycotted legislative activities hosted by South Africa.
The minister thanked the Private Group of Business Friends, known as PGNBF, which funded the evacuation of 26 of the 33 returnees. The group had previously funded the repatriation of 83 nationals and then another 67 from South Africa. With this latest support it has funded the repatriation of 176 Nigerian nationals from South Africa.
She also thanked the Nigerian Lawyers Association, known as NLASA, for funding the return of five of the evacuees. A private citizen from Bayelsa State funded the return of three Bayelsa indigenes.
The Igbo Lawyers Association South Africa, known as ILASA, recently funded the repatriation of 28 Nigerian nationals.
On behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, she extended immense gratitude to these public spirited groups and private individuals for coming to the aid of their compatriots in peril.
While calling on state governments that have not yet done so to complement federal efforts in the repatriation of citizens forced out of South Africa, who have abandoned their properties and livelihoods, she commended the Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah. Yesterday he hosted a grand reception to welcome home 77 Enugu State families made up of 112 indigenes and presented one million naira to each of the families. He urged them not to be afraid to start again.
By John James
