Nigerians in South Africa Protest Delays in Evacuation Process
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
A group of Nigerians residing in South Africa staged a peaceful demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria on Monday, expressing dissatisfaction over delays in the ongoing evacuation exercise for citizens seeking to return home.
The protesters called on Nigerian authorities to accelerate arrangements for additional flights, stating that many registered returnees remain stranded amid growing concerns over anti-immigrant tensions in parts of South Africa.
Participants at the demonstration said the prolonged wait has left several families facing difficult conditions. According to some of the affected individuals, women and children have been particularly impacted, with limited access to accommodation, food, and other basic necessities while awaiting evacuation.
Many of those gathered questioned why only one evacuation flight had operated despite expectations that more aircraft would be deployed. They urged the Federal Government to provide clearer information on flight schedules and the overall evacuation plan.
Several protesters maintained that they were eager to return to Nigeria due to the uncertainty surrounding their situation. While acknowledging their appreciation for South Africa, they said current circumstances had made remaining in the country increasingly challenging.
Addressing the demonstrators, Nigeria's Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, reassured them that the evacuation programme had not been cancelled. He explained that temporary operational challenges had affected the schedule but assured those awaiting departure that arrangements were being made to complete the process before the end of June.
The protest comes as Nigerian authorities continue efforts to assist citizens who have indicated a desire to leave South Africa following renewed concerns about xenophobic sentiments and security issues.
Before the planned departures, many Nigerians underwent screening and documentation procedures at the Nigerian High Commission as part of preparations for the evacuation exercise.
Although hundreds of Nigerians have already been successfully transported back to Nigeria, a significant number are still awaiting flights from various locations across South Africa. The delays have intensified calls for quicker action and additional support for those affected while they wait for their return journey.
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