Xenophobic attacks: Nigeria may consider retaliation against South Africa – FG 

…Set to begin repatriation 

The federal government said the Nigerian government may sanction South Africa over the ongoing unjustified attacks against Nigerians living in that country

Bianca Odunmegu-Ojukwu, Minister of Foreign Affairs disclosed this, while fielding questions from State House Journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday

Ojukwu who was at the presidential Villa, when President Bola Tinubu received in audience Madagascar President, Colonel Michael Randrianirina during the his visit to Nigeria at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Monday, disclosed that Nigeria has completed the documentation of Nigerians who are now ready to return to their country.

Responding to question on whether Nigeria is considering retaliation against the South African government, the Minister said ” It is a situation that we are considering”

She however added that ” it is up to the legislature, as it is a decision that has to be taken at the highest level of government, but it is not off the table”

“Our citizens are being harassed,  illegal actions are being perpetrated against Nigerians and the South African government has done nothing about it.

She stated that “Nigeria is not happy with South Africa because, Nigerians  sacrificed so much for them during the South Africa’s  struggle for independence.

” We sacrifed our resources for South Africa. in Nigeria Schools, seats were reserved for south Africa students. sometimes we even got arrested, while we were protesting against the obnoxious Apartheid regime.  We are a serious Front Line  State.”

This is however coming against the backdrop of the federal government’s plans to carry out the first flight from South Africa on Wednesday.

The Minister who noted that there are several processes to be under taken to assess the actual number of persons to be repatriated, added that the Nigeria Consulate in Pretoria has already made arrangements for temporary accommodation, especially for those coming from other provinces

BusinessDay gathered that over 500 people have “been screened and cleared” for the first flights,

The Minister stated that President Tinubu has  approved that the aircraft must go to South Africa to bring Nigerians who are imperiled in that country back home.

She also dismissed claims that Nigeria being repatriated are living in South Africa illegally.

Nigerians who are doing their legitimate businesses are being attacked and their businesses are being looted, children are also  harassed and intimidated in their schools in South Africa, yet the South African police and the government are not doing anything

“We want ensure that we screen our citizens who wants to return, as things are, we have people in different provinces who are imperiled and who want to return home

The evacuation which is being conducted by multiple federal government agencies, will also involve the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, who are expected to make adequate arrangements for temporary accommodation for the returnees, in Nigeria

Nigeria will begin repatriating its citizens from South Africa this week, after anti-immigrant attacks and protests in the continent’s biggest economy.

About 60 people were reported to have died and 50,000 displaced in a spate of attacks directed against migrants in 2008, and fears are mounting of renewed and intensified violence.

Nigerian carrier Air Peace will manage the repatriation flights, with the first one transporting 270 passengers.

It is estimated that at least 1,094 Nigerians have indicated their interest in leaving South Africa, even though the figures have not been confirmed in Nigeria.