The Federal Government has once more vehemently denounced the assaults, intimidation, and forcible relocation of Nigerians in South Africa and stated that it is taking the necessary action in retaliation.
In an interview with State House correspondents on Monday in Abuja, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, made this claim.
Given Nigeria’s longstanding support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement, the minister claims that many Nigerians are dissatisfied with how their countrymen are treated there.
Nigeria is unhappy since it made a lot of sacrifices supporting the independence movement in South Africa.
Nigeria pledged money and resources. Many Nigerians actively supported the anti-apartheid struggle, and seats were set aside for South African students, she stated.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that although any decision would be made at the highest level of government, the Federal Government had not ruled out any response, including potential retaliatory actions.
We are taking that into consideration. The highest levels of administration and our legislature will decide this, but it is still a possibility,” she stated.
Regarding the evacuation of impacted Nigerians, the minister stated that plans were in place to repatriate those who would choose to go back home.
She clarified that while the airlift did not start on Monday as planned, paperwork and other legalities were being completed.
“The repatriation process is underway. “Our citizens who are impacted will have the chance to return home, and Mr. President has reiterated that the aircraft will travel to South Africa,” she stated.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that screening procedures involving both Nigerian and South African officials were still in progress and that the number of Nigerians requesting evacuation was still rising.
In order to organize aid for impacted residents, she revealed that Nigeria’s embassy in Pretoria and its consulate in Johannesburg had been instructed by President Bola Tinubu to immediately establish a crisis response unit.
The minister insisted that many of the impacted Nigerians were lawful residents and company owners, refuting allegations that they were illegal immigrants.
She claimed that while some Nigerians had experienced intimidation and insecurity, others had experienced attacks on their residences and companies.
“It is completely false to claim that Nigerians in South Africa conducting lawful business are illegal migrants,” she stated.
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other pertinent agencies, has established measures to assist and rehabilitate returnees, Odumegwu-Ojukwu continued.
“With NEMA and other government agencies, this evacuation is being carried out to ensure that those who return are properly rehabilitated,” she stated.
