The Federal Government has said it will ensure that no Nigerian who has voluntarily indicated interest in leaving South Africa is left behind amid rising anti-immigrant tensions in the country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr Magnus Eze.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed that about 1,000 Nigerians had so far registered for evacuation from South Africa ahead of the June 30 deadline reportedly issued by anti-immigrant groups in the country.
According to her, the first batch of 258 Nigerian nationals has already been transported back to Nigeria by the Federal Government.
The returnees were received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday, June 11, by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
The minister said the policy of the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Tinubu is that no Nigerian should be left to suffer unnecessarily at the hands of misguided individuals.
She added that the President empathises with Nigerians who are exposed to discriminatory treatment anywhere in the world and has directed that those facing danger in South Africa, who have voluntarily expressed willingness to return home, must be evacuated before the deadline.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that, as a law-abiding nation, any retaliatory measures against South Africa’s anti-migrant actions would have to follow due legislative process.
She said the Executive arm of government was actively engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels while also considering broader measures to protect Nigerians and their businesses.
“The National Assembly has a constitutional role to play in determining Nigeria’s response should diplomatic engagements fail to halt the attacks on Nigerians and their businesses,” she said.
The minister assured that the Federal Government would continue to monitor the situation and coordinate necessary steps to safeguard the lives and interests of Nigerians in South Africa.
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