Amid worsening anti-foreigner violence in South Africa, Nigerian authorities have begun arrangements to evacuate citizens willing to return home, as fear and business losses mount across affected communities.
The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg, working with the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, has offered free repatriation flights to Nigerians seeking permanent relocation.
Diaspora leaders say interest is already growing, with many traders and residents shutting down operations and staying indoors due to safety concerns.
Violence has been reported in major cities including Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, where protests have escalated into looting, harassment and targeted attacks on foreign-owned businesses.
The unrest has been linked to anti-immigration campaigns by groups such as Operation Dudula, which accuses migrants of contributing to unemployment and crime.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has advised Nigerians to remain cautious, urging business owners to temporarily close shops to avoid losses and potential harm.
Several Nigerians have described living in constant fear, with many saying they can no longer operate their businesses. Traders report that shops owned by Nigerians and other African nationals have been specifically targeted, with attackers looting goods and forcing closures.
There have also been fatalities. The consulate confirmed the deaths of two Nigerians in separate incidents, further heightening anxiety within the community. In addition, an Ethiopian national was reportedly shot dead in what appeared to be a targeted attack in Johannesburg.
While the South African Police Service has condemned the violence and deployed officers in affected areas, residents say security presence has not fully stopped the attacks.
Community leaders note that the situation is uneven across the country, with informal settlements and trading hubs bearing the brunt, while other areas remain relatively calm.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, is said to be engaging South African authorities as diplomatic efforts continue to address the crisis.
For many Nigerians on the ground, however, the immediate concern is safety. With livelihoods disrupted and uncertainty growing, the option to return home is increasingly becoming a difficult but necessary choice.
