Xenophobia – Why Nigerian Evacuees Are Still Held Back In South Africa

Reason has emerged why Nigerian evacuees from South Africa who were expected to have arrived the country at about 2pm today are yet to arrive Nigeria.

It is because the South African Immigration Services had insisted on conducting another round of documentation on the returnees thereby warranting a delay.

Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission told newsmen that the first batch of of the 317 Nigerians who had indicated interest to return were supposed to have arrive the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Wednesday, 2pm

As at the time of filing this report however, The Eagle confirms there was no sight of the Air Peace B777 aircraft,

Recall that the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa, following the xenophobic attacks on them, which worsened by the day rather than abating.

Mrs Dabiri-Erewa the flight manifest showed that 231 males and 86 females are preparing to return home, adding that there were now being expected later in the day.

The commission chairman said that the returnees would be profiled upon arrival and given stipends to move to their respective states.

Dabiri-Erewa said that the Federal Government would also support those willing to acquire skills in collaboration with the Bank of Industry.

READ ALSO: XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS–‘FOREIGNERS MUST LEAVE OUR LAND’

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Monday ordered the immediate evacuation of Nigerians who had indicated interest to leave South Africa after receiving a report from the Special Envoy deployed to the country.

The Eagle can authoritatively report that the delay is causing anxiety amongst Nigerians, especially those who have relations in South Africa.

This is against the background of the alarm raised by some Nigerians in South that there were plans by some locals to waylay and attack them.  

Reports showed that some of the affrighted Nigerians were even sending text messages to forewarn others.

This is even as Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, told the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations yesterday that 640 Nigerians in South Africa have voluntarily registered to return home.

A correspondent of Vanguard newspaper, a Nigerian daily, reproduced one of such messages which read thus:

“Hello everyone, just wanted to pass this message for us all to be careful against tomorrow (today), as we have just been briefed by a friend from Ntuzuma that tomorrow (today) is going to be terrible in Durban “Locals will be checking all the taxis to find foreigners… So be alert and be careful. Pass this message to all your friends and family members to caution them about tomorrow (today). If possible, no one must make a move to town tomorrow (today). If you must go out, first wait and watch. What happened in Johannesburg was just a joke. Thanks for your understanding. Be warned.”

However, the Nigerian Consul-General in Johannesburg, Godwin Adama, responded on phone that the threat message was not authentic.

He said: : “It is not authentic, the police authorities have said even the taxi drivers have denied it as well, it is hoax.

“All we are doing right now is to protect the Nigerians who are to be evacuated. It is our responsibility to take care of every Nigerian living in South Africa.”

Buhari orders evacuation of willing Nigerians

READ ALSO: NIGERIA WITHDRAWS FROM ECONOMIC FORUM IN SOUTH AFRICA

Also yesterday, President Buhari ordered immediate voluntary evacuation of Nigerians willing to return home from South Africa.

The President gave the order when he received report from Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Special Envoy he dispatched to South Africa to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa on the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

He told the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to continue to engage with appropriate authorities on the concrete measure the South African government was expected to take.

The President’s directive was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina.