The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that Nigerians interested in repatriation from South Africa over xenophobic attacks will be responsible for the cost of their return trip to Nigeria. The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated this during a press briefing on Monday 4th April in Abuja.
The briefing came shortly after a closed-door meeting between the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Ahmed, and the South African Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele.
Ebienfa said the process will be self-funded and not state-funded, as it is a voluntary decision that the Nigerian government will only facilitate and coordinate.
He said, “Those willing to leave are expected to approach the high commission and, given that their decision is voluntary, have the resources to fund their return to Nigeria.” The government will not “provide an aircraft from Nigeria to convey them.” He also noted that the speed of the repatriation process will be determined by the availability of funds.
Ebienfa also explained that Nigerians who have so far expressed interest are motivated either by concerns about threats to their lives or by fear of arrest by South African law enforcement agencies.
“There are two groups of Nigerians who want to come back. One group feels the country is not safe for them and wants to come. They have all their papers intact. Then there is also the second group that has travel document violations or resident permit violations. And instead of running away from law enforcement, they are appealing that the government facilitate their movement back to Nigeria,” he said.
The announcement marks a significant shift in tone from the government’s earlier communication. As recently as Sunday, Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu had indicated that arrangements were underway to collate details of Nigerians in South Africa for voluntary repatriation flights for those seeking assistance to return home, with 130 Nigerians already registered.
Truth Lives News reported that two Nigerians were confirmed killed last month. Ekpenyong Andrew was arrested and his body was later discovered in the Booysens area of Pretoria. Amamiro Emmanuel died from injuries sustained following an attack by South African security personnel.
The incidents compelled Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu to summon the South African acting high commissioner and demand that the South African government take a proactive approach to addressing the crisis.
In the recent past, similar repatriations have been sponsored by Nigerian airline owners, particularly Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace.
