Xenophobia: Flight delays leave stranded Nigerians hungry, homeless in S’Africa

Hundreds of Nigerians awaiting evacuation from South Africa are facing hunger, homelessness and worsening hardship following delays in the second batch of repatriation flights arranged by the Federal Government.

Many of the affected Nigerians, including women, children and the elderly, have reportedly exhausted their savings after travelling from different provinces for registration and screening, only to be left stranded without adequate food, shelter or transportation.

The President of the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, disclosed this on Friday, urging the Federal Government to expedite the evacuation process and provide emergency humanitarian assistance to those awaiting their return to Nigeria.

According to him, some of the stranded Nigerians have been forced to sleep in harsh conditions amid uncertainty over when the next evacuation flights will depart.

“The situation has become increasingly distressing as some of our nationals have been left sleeping in difficult conditions, uncertain of when they will return home,” Onyekwelu said.

“Several have exhausted their limited resources after travelling long distances in good faith, believing arrangements had been adequately concluded for their departure.”

He said hundreds of Nigerians who responded to the government’s evacuation programme had endured severe hardship due to the delays.

“Many of these citizens travelled from distant provinces across South Africa after being instructed to report for registration and screening. Today, numerous families, including women and children, are stranded without shelter, food, transportation or the financial means to sustain themselves,” Onyekwelu added.

He also raised concerns over allegations of poor treatment and inadequate communication during the registration and screening process.

“Of grave concern are reports from affected citizens alleging humiliation, insensitive treatment and poor communication from certain officials during the registration and screening exercise,” he said.

He maintained that Nigerians who complied with official directives deserved empathy and support rather than experiences that worsened their ordeal.

The NICASA president called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deploy emergency relief and establish a humanitarian support mechanism for stranded Nigerians pending their departure.

He also urged relevant government agencies to facilitate the remaining evacuation flights to ensure all registered Nigerians are returned home without further delay.

“Our citizens are not merely statistics. They are fathers, mothers, children, students, workers and entrepreneurs who have found themselves in desperate circumstances. Their cries for help must not go unanswered,” he said.

In a statement later made available to Saturday PidomNigeria, Onyekwelu said the Nigerian community in South Africa had not felt adequately represented, informed or supported by the Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Alexandra Ajayi.

“We appeal to all concerned authorities to act swiftly and compassionately to lift our nationals out of their present misery and restore hope, dignity and confidence in the protection of Nigerians abroad.

“We also urge relevant government agencies to urgently facilitate the remaining four evacuation flights so that all registered citizens can be safely returned home without further delay,” he added.

Onyekwelu affirmed that NICASA remained committed to supporting the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of the voluntary repatriation programme.

Meanwhile, a Nigerian who spoke with Diaspora Tales on condition of anonymity said, aside from homelessness, anxiety was growing over the June 30 deadline issued by anti-immigration groups to undocumented foreigners in South Africa.

“Things are not easy here, my brother. There is a lot of fear about that deadline, though some groups are trying to prevent South Africans from joining the protest. Right now, I am hiding in a friend’s house, and he generously gave us shelter.”

“Many of our people are stranded at the consulate awaiting evacuation to Nigeria, while others are temporarily staying with friends and acquaintances across different towns. It is not easy. There are many other nationalities too, with their luggage in consulates, sleeping in the open in the freezing weather. It is a sorry sight.

“Many of us became homeless at the same time, particularly those who worked in factories, stores and farms where accommodation was provided. We were thrown out after the South African president announced that employers who hire undocumented immigrants would be arrested. But we hope to leave before the June 30 deadline,” the source said.

Similarly, another Nigerian, Nze Akumezienwata, urged fellow Nigerians stranded in the country to remain vigilant and make arrangements to leave.

In a Facebook post, he wrote, “Please, I urge all Nigerians in South Africa, especially those sleeping on the streets, to leave the country. To those who still have businesses here, let us be careful about our movements. Try to prepare and leave this country for them.”

The evacuation of Nigerians follows renewed xenophobic tensions and anti-immigrant protests in parts of South Africa, which have heightened fears among all foreign nationals.

The Nigerian Union South Africa has documented no fewer than 118 deaths linked to xenophobic attacks over the years, including the recent killing of Chikamnene Mmuonagorom, who was reportedly stabbed to death in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province.

Recent protests in parts of South Africa reportedly escalated into attacks on foreign-owned businesses and migrant communities, with undocumented migrants blamed for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has assured Nigerians seeking to return home that they will be evacuated before the June 30 deadline.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the first batch of 258 Nigerians had already been evacuated from South Africa and arrived in Lagos on June 11.

She disclosed that nearly 1,000 Nigerians had registered for evacuation, leaving more than 742 awaiting transportation back to Nigeria.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the evacuation programme was approved by President Bola Tinubu following reports of harassment, intimidation and attacks targeting Nigerians and other African migrants living in South Africa.