Over 100 Nigerians have registered to be repatriated from South Africa amid growing fears that recent attacks on foreign nationals could escalate, country’s Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu said on Monday.
Odumegwu‑Ojukwu said scores of Nigerians have volunteered to return home, with numbers expected to rise as concerns deepen over safety.
She said President Bola Tinubu was alarmed by the surge in anti‑immigrant demonstrations and incidents of violence targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
The minister condemned what she described as xenophobic rhetoric, hate speech and intimidation by groups staging marches outside hospitals, schools and business districts.
Nigeria has summoned South Africa’s acting High Commissioner and will formally convey its “profound concern” during a meeting in Abuja.
The tensions follow a new wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign‑owned businesses have been threatened and citizens from Ethiopia and other African countries have been attacked in recent weeks.
Anti‑immigrant groups have also urged foreign‑run shops to close during protests to avoid possible violence.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks while urging foreign nationals to comply with local laws.
JN/APA