The Federal Government yesterday said retaliatory measures against South Africa are being considered as fresh xenophobic attacks on Nigerians continue to escalate.
The situation has forced plans for the evacuation of more than 1,000 affected citizens.
The new wave of attacks has persisted since last year.
Many Nigerians have been harassed, attacked and displaced in recurring waves of anti-foreigner violence in South Africa.
A number of citizens have been killed, injured or lost their businesses, homes and means of livelihood.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria was reviewing its options in response to what she described as the persistent targeting of Nigerians.
‘It’s not off the table,’ Odumegwu-Ojukwu told reporters at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when asked whether retaliatory measures were being considered.
Should such a move be adopted, it could trigger a major diplomatic row between two of Africa’s leading economies.
Speaking after receiving Madagascar’s President, Michael Randrianirina, at the Villa, the minister said: ‘That is a situation that we are considering. This is up to our legislature. This is up to the highest level of government.
‘Nigeria is not happy because Nigeria sacrificed much for the South African struggle for independence. Nigeria sacrificed quite a lot, committed funds and resources to aid South Africa.
‘In schools, seats were reserved for South African students. My own generation carried placards and demonstrated in front of South African assets.
‘Sometimes, we were even arrested for doing this.’
She said Nigerians were being unfairly singled out for attacks.
‘Nigerians are not happy about how they have treated us. They are not asking other migrants to leave; they are only asking black migrants to leave,’ she said.
The minister rejected claims by some South African authorities that many of those seeking evacuation were illegal migrants, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
‘That is absolutely untrue. Our citizens are being harassed, their properties are being looted, and criminal actions are being perpetrated against them.
‘The police refuse to do anything. The South African government has not come out strongly or firmly enough to condemn these incidents,’ she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also provided an update on plans to evacuate Nigerians affected by the unrest.
She said the repatriation process was progressing and that the necessary formalities were nearing completion.
According to her, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that a presidential aircraft be deployed to bring home Nigerians willing to return.
‘It wasn’t actually supposed to have started today (yesterday).
‘It is just that we were supposed to have rounded off the formalities today.
‘The repatriation is on course. Mr. President himself has reiterated the fact that his aircraft must go to South Africa.
‘Our citizens who are imperilled will have the chance of getting on this aircraft to be brought back to their country,’ she said.
The minister said the number of Nigerians requesting evacuation continued to increase as authorities processed documentation and security clearances.
She explained that South African security authorities and Nigerian officials were jointly screening prospective returnees before issuing the required travel documents.
‘The figures keep increasing. Several processes have to be undertaken by the South African Homeland Security.
‘We then ensure that we screen our citizens who want to return.
‘They are also part of the screening process and, once the citizens are cleared, they are given a document indicating that they are free to leave,’ she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said President Tinubu had directed the immediate establishment of crisis response units at Nigeria’s consulate and diplomatic mission in South Africa to coordinate assistance for affected citizens across various provinces.
She added that arrangements were also being made to facilitate the movement of Nigerians to the country’s consular offices, noting that the critical documentation phase had largely been completed.
The minister maintained that many of those affected were legitimate business owners whose shops had been looted or set ablaze, while others faced intimidation that prevented their children from attending school.
‘People who are doing legitimate business have their shops looted and set on fire.
‘Children cannot go to school because they are intimidated.
‘So, to say that Nigerians in South Africa who are conducting legitimate business are illegal migrants is absolutely untrue,’ she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed disappointment at what she described as South Africa’s treatment of Nigerians despite Nigeria’s historic support for the country’s anti-apartheid struggle.
She said the Federal Government was working with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to ensure that returning citizens receive the support needed to reintegrate into society.
‘This evacuation is being undertaken with NEMA. We are working with various government agencies and departments to ensure that once they return, they can be rehabilitated and properly reintegrated,’ she said.