The Federal Government says it is considering retaliatory measures against South Africa as fresh xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians intensify, with plans underway to evacuate more than 1,000 affected citizens.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said Nigeria was reviewing its options in response to the continued attacks, stressing that retaliatory actions had not been ruled out. She expressed disappointment over what she described as South Africa’s failure to adequately protect Nigerians despite Nigeria’s historic support during the anti-apartheid struggle.
The minister rejected claims that many of the Nigerians seeking evacuation were undocumented migrants, insisting that many victims were legitimate business owners whose shops had been looted or destroyed, while others faced intimidation and displacement.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said President Bola Tinubu had directed that a presidential aircraft be deployed to evacuate Nigerians willing to return home, adding that documentation and clearance processes were nearing completion.
According to her, the number of Nigerians requesting evacuation continues to rise as Nigerian and South African authorities jointly screen prospective returnees and process travel documents.
She also disclosed that President Tinubu had ordered the establishment of crisis response units at Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in South Africa to coordinate support for affected citizens across different provinces.
The minister said the Federal Government was working with the National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant institutions to ensure returning Nigerians receive rehabilitation and reintegration support upon arrival in the country.
