The Nigerian Consulate in South Africa, in collaboration with the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has introduced a free repatriation flight for Nigerians willing to return home permanently amid rising anti-foreigner violence in the country.
NICASA President Frank Onyekwelu confirmed the development in an interview, noting that many Nigerians had already expressed interest in leaving due to worsening insecurity and repeated attacks on foreign nationals.
“The Nigerian Consulate in conjunction with NICASA has offered a free repatriation flight to any Nigerian who wishes to leave South Africa permanently, and the process is ongoing as we have recorded many Nigerians signalling interest to return home,” he said.
He added that many Nigerians have been forced to close their businesses as a result of the unrest, while no structured support system currently exists for affected citizens beyond the consulate’s intervention.
Reports indicate that Nigerians in several cities, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, East London, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, have faced harassment, looting, and destruction of property during protests driven by anti-immigration groups.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has also advised Nigerian business owners to temporarily shut down operations to avoid losses and ensure safety.
According to reports, groups such as Operation Dudula and other local movements have led protests demanding the removal of undocumented foreign nationals, accusing them of contributing to unemployment and crime.
The violence has already claimed lives. The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg confirmed the deaths of Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew in separate incidents linked to the unrest.
Consul-General Ninikanwa Okey-Uche said Emmanuel died after allegedly being beaten by South African National Defence Force personnel, while Andrew was arrested following an altercation with metro police and later found dead at a Pretoria mortuary.
Videos circulating online show protesters marching through streets, chanting anti-foreigner slogans and targeting migrant-owned businesses.
In one incident, a Nigerian trader was confronted and ordered to leave the country despite explaining he had lived and worked there for years.
Foreign nationals have also reported widespread fear, with many staying indoors as attacks on shops and businesses continue.
A Nigerian restaurant owner in Johannesburg, Yemisi Adewale, said she narrowly escaped an attack while buying supplies.
“They (protesters) have been harassing and terrorising us. They are specifically targeting shops, supermarkets, malls, and other businesses owned by Nigerians and Ghanaians,” she said.
She added that looting and vandalism were being carried out openly, sometimes in the presence of police.
South African authorities have condemned the violence, with the police stating that such actions violate the country’s constitutional values of dignity and human rights.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high as investigations continue into recent killings, including that of an Ethiopian national shot dead in Johannesburg, further heightening fears among foreign residents.
Despite the situation, some Nigerian business owners say they are remaining calm while shutting down operations to avoid further losses, as uncertainty continues across affected communities.
