A big hurdle has hit South Africa-based Nigerians desirous of returning home in an escape bid of the wave of xenophobic attacks in that country.
This is even as the Nigerian government is demanding an urgent accountability from South Africa on the deaths of the two Nigerians that have already lost their lives in the wave of attacks.
The government issued demand of accountability after inviting South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lesoli Machele, to a meeting in Abuja on Monday with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb Dunoma Ahmed.
According to a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, at the centre of the dispute are the deaths of Nnaemeka Matthew Ekpeyong and Kelvin Chidiebere Amaramiro, both allegedly linked to assaults by South African security personnel.
On the other hand however, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just said Nigerians interested in repatriation from South Africa would be responsible for the cost of their return trip to Nigeria.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated this during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, shortly after a closed-door meeting between the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Ahmed, and the South African Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele.
Mr Ebienfa said the process will be self-funded and not state-funded, as it is a voluntary decision that the Nigerian government will only facilitate and coordinate.
The effort primarily targets Nigerians who feel threatened by the xenophobic violence and tension in parts of South Africa, as the protests against black immigrants in the country continue. Two Nigerians were killed last month.
Since the announcement, about 130 Nigerians in South Africa have expressed a willingness to return home voluntarily.
Mr Ebienfa stated that the return of the Nigerians depends on their financial capacity, as they would be expected to fund their trip back home individually.
“Those willing to leave are expected to approach the high commission and, given that their decision is voluntary, have the resources to fund their return to Nigeria”, he said.
Stating that the federal government would not provide an aircraft to airlift those wishing to return home, he added:
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“Yes, 130 as of this morning have registered, but actualisation would be required to have their flight ticket to move back to Nigeria.”
“There are two groups of Nigerians who want to come back. One group feels the country is not safe for them and wants to come. They have all their papers intact.
“Then there is also the second group that has travel document violations or resident permit violations. And instead of running away from law enforcement, they are appealing that the government facilitate their movement back to Nigeria”, he explained.
The process, he said, is still being worked out.
Cami Ezenwa is a Writer, Editor, Publicist, Biographer and Journalism Trainer
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