The Federal Government, in a message delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has assured Nigerians living in South Africa that all citizens who have expressed interest in returning home due to ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country will be evacuated before the June 30 deadline.
The message was given via a press statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze.
The minister affirmed the commitment of the Tinubu administration to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad and said that no citizen who has expressed interest in returning from South Africa will be left behind.
She raised concern over reports of discrimination and attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants, while noting that Nigeria was engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels and exploring lawful options to address the situation.
“When it comes to situations like this, of course, it is necessary to be temperate and exercise caution. But when your citizens are being harassed… then it becomes a serious concern,” she said, noting that some affected Nigerians are married to South Africans with children born and raised there.
