At least 130 Nigerian citizens in South Africa (SA) have asked to be flown home following protests targeting foreigners, Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
The applicants are the first under a new Nigerian government-assisted repatriation scheme, Ojukwu said on Sunday, amid fears that confrontations in SA could escalate.
Protesters held rallies in Pretoria and Johannesburg last week, demanding tougher action against illegal immigration, saying undocumented foreign nationals were putting pressure on jobs, security and public services.
Migrant-rights groups say foreigners are often scapegoated for SA’s economic problems.
Nigeria condemns the violence against its citizens in SA, including the deaths of two Nigerians allegedly assaulted by security officials, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, a Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Monday.
–Reuters–
