The Federal Government has evacuated another 33 Nigerian nationals from South Africa‏ amid what it described as continuing xenophobic incidents and targeted killings involving Nigerians in the country.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, disclosed this in a statement, saying the latest evacuation brings renewed attention to the worsening situation facing Nigerians in South Africa.

“SOUTH AFRICA UPDATE..
Another 33 Nigerian Nationals have been evacuated from South Africa following the unrelenting Xenophobic incidents in the country.

These Nigerian Nationals are from Delta, Ogun, Imo, Lagos, Enugu, Oyo, Edo, Ondo and Bayelsa.

The situation in South Africa is not improving. Two Nigerian Citizens have been killed this month in South Africa- James Uchechukwu Nwankwo and Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle.

Our Government has condemned these targeted killings, and continues to call on the South African Authorities to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Furthermore, Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended official visits to South Africa and has also boycotted South African- hosted legislative activities.

We wish to thank the Private Group of Business Friends (PGNBF) that funded the evacuation of 26 out of these 33 returnees. They had previously funded the repatriation of 83 nationals, then another 67 from South Africa With this 26, they would have funded the repatriation of 176 Nigerian nationals from South Africa.

Many thanks, also to the Nigerian Lawyers Association (NLASA) for funding the return of 5 of these evacuees.

A private citizen from Bayelsa state funded the return of 3 bayelsa indigenes.

The Igbo Lawyers Association South Africa (ILASA) recently funded the repatriation of 28 Nigerian Nationals.

On behalf of the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we extend our immense gratitude to these public spirited groups and private individuals for coming to the aid of their imperiled compatriots.

While we continue to call on State Governments who have not yet done so to complement FG efforts in repatriation of our citizens in South Africa, by assisting their indigenes who have been forced out of South Africa, abandoning their properties and livelihoods, we commend the magnanimous efforts of the Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, who, yesterday, hosted a grand reception to welcome home 77 Enugu State Families, made up of 112 indigenes, doling out I million Naira to each of the families.

As he enjoined them, ‘ Don’t be afraid to start again….’

The latest evacuation underscores the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the return of Nigerians affected by the deteriorating security situation in South Africa, while calls continue for South African authorities to investigate reported killings and protect Nigerian citizens in the country.