THE Federal Government has expressed strong displeasure over the continued attacks, harassment and intimidation of Nigerians residing in South Africa, revealing that the administration is considering possible retaliatory measures in response to the developments.
Addressing State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa on Monday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said while the option of retaliation is being considered, any final decision would require deliberation and approval at the highest levels of government, including the National Assembly.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s dissatisfaction stems partly from the country’s historic role in supporting South Africa’s struggle against apartheid and its eventual independence.
“Nigeria is not happy because the country has sacrificed so much for the South African struggle for independence, Nigeria sacrificed quite a lot, committed funds, committed resources to aid South Africa. In schools, seats were reserved for South African students.
“My own generation, we carried placards, we demonstrated in front of South African assets. Sometimes we even got arrested for doing this. And Nigeria is a serious frontline state, and Nigerians are not happy about how they have treated us. They are not asking other migrants to leave, they’re only asking black migrants to leave,” she said.
When asked whether Nigeria was considering retaliatory sanctions against South Africa, Ojukwu said the matter remains under consideration.
“That is a situation that we are considering. This is up to our legislature. This is a decision that has to be taken at the highest level of government, but it’s not off the table,” she stated.
The minister also clarified that the repatriation of affected Nigerians had not been delayed, explaining that authorities were only expected to conclude the necessary administrative formalities on June 8.
She assured that arrangements to evacuate Nigerians willing to return home remain on course.
Ojukwu disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed the immediate establishment of a crisis response unit within the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg and the Nigerian Mission in Pretoria following reports of escalating attacks and harassment.
“So, once this situation started getting worse, the President directed that a crisis response unit be immediately set up within our consulate, and also the Nigerian mission in Pretoria. So, as things are, we have people in different provinces, we also have people who need to be assisted to get to the Nigerian consulate in Johannesburg, so we’re in the process of all that, but the documentation, which is the most important aspect of this, has been done,” she said.
The minister explained that efforts are ongoing to identify and assist affected Nigerians across different provinces while facilitating access to consular services and evacuation arrangements where necessary.
“The figures keep increasing. There are several processes, as you know, that have to be undertaken by South African Homeland Security. We then ensure that we screen our citizens who want to return; they also are part of the screening process, and once the citizens are cleared, they are given a paper that indicates that they are free to go.
“The repatriation is on course. Mr. President himself has reiterated the fact that the aircraft must go to South Africa, and our citizens who are imperilled will have the chance of getting on this aircraft to be brought back to their country.”
Responding to claims by some South African authorities that many Nigerians seeking repatriation were illegal migrants, Ojukwu firmly rejected the allegation, describing it as false and misleading.
She maintained that the affected Nigerians are law-abiding residents and business owners who have become victims of harassment, intimidation and criminal attacks.
According to the minister, many Nigerians have suffered significant losses, with shops looted, businesses vandalised or set ablaze, while some families have been forced to keep their children away from school because of security concerns.
“That is absolutely untrue. Our citizens are being harassed, our citizens, their properties are being looted, criminal actions are perpetuated on our citizens, the police refuse to do anything. The South African government has not come out strongly, firmly enough to condemn these incidents.
“So, our citizens are imperilled, they are in distress, so they cannot be said to be illegal migrants. People who are doing legitimate business have their shops looted, they have their shops set on fire. Children cannot go to school because they are intimidated in their schools. So, to say that Nigerians who are in South Africa doing legitimate business are illegal migrants is absolutely untrue.”
The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, assuring that diplomatic and humanitarian measures are being pursued while consultations continue on possible next steps regarding the treatment of Nigerian citizens in South Africa.