Hundreds of Nigerians have begun returning home from South Africa amid growing anti-migrant sentiments and fears of xenophobic violence, with many saying they no longer feel safe in the country.
The first batch of 268 Nigerians arrived in Lagos on Thursday after being repatriated from Johannesburg. The returnees are part of nearly 1,000 Nigerians who have registered with the Nigerian Consulate in South Africa for voluntary repatriation following weeks of heightened tensions targeting foreign nationals.
The development comes as several African countries, including Ghana, Zimbabwe and Malawi, have also evacuated some of their citizens ahead of a June 30 deadline set by anti-migrant campaign groups demanding that undocumented foreigners leave South Africa.
Many migrants from across Africa moved to South Africa after the end of apartheid in 1994 in search of better economic opportunities. However, worsening unemployment, which remains above 30 percent, has fueled resentment toward foreigners in recent years.
Speaking before boarding the flight home, a Nigerian identified as Justin said he decided to leave after repeated threats and attacks against migrants.
“I’m leaving because of the conditions they’ve given us here. They say we must leave on or before June 30. Because of the way they are killing people and attacking our brothers, I don’t feel safe anymore,” he said.
Justin, who said he had lived in South Africa since 1998, recounted a recent attack that forced him to flee and abandon his belongings.
“Recently they attacked me in a taxi. I ran away and left my things behind, including my phone. They call us names and keep telling us to leave the country. When we try to talk to them, they insult us,” he added.
Although there are no official figures on casualties linked to recent xenophobic incidents, concerns have intensified following reports of attacks on foreign nationals. South African police confirmed the deaths of two Mozambican men in the Western Cape earlier this month, while Mozambican authorities have linked the killings to anti-foreigner violence.
Some groups behind the anti-migrant protests argue that foreign nationals contribute to unemployment and place additional pressure on public services such as schools and healthcare facilities.
However, Nigeria’s Consul General in South Africa, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, rejected those claims, insisting that migrants are being unfairly blamed for broader socio-economic challenges.
“Migrants make up less than 10 percent of South Africa’s population. They cannot be blamed for failures in healthcare, education, policing or unemployment. They are being used as scapegoats,” she said.
Okey-Uche also urged South African authorities to take stronger action against individuals promoting xenophobic attacks and anti-foreigner campaigns.
“There are many prominent South Africans, including political leaders, who have condemned what is happening. But on the streets, we need to see arrests and accountability. Those responsible for causing fear and disruption in people’s lives should not be allowed to act with impunity,” she said.
Meanwhile, South African authorities have intensified efforts to tackle illegal migration. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced a series of measures, including stricter penalties for employers who hire undocumented migrants, the creation of dedicated courts to fast-track deportation cases, and the introduction of a biometric database aimed at strengthening identity verification.
Ramaphosa also appealed to citizens not to take the law into their own hands by targeting people they suspect of residing in the country illegally.