HUMAN Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Federal Government to seek compensation for Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks.

The group said rescuing the affected citizens was commendable but insisted that the exercise should be followed by justice and restitution for victims who lost businesses, homes and other investments.

HURIWA also urged the Federal Government to consider diplomatic sanctions against South Africa if adequate compensation and guarantees against future attacks are not provided.

The demands were contained in a statement issued on Friday by the National Coordinator of the association, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko.

The rights group applauded the Federal Government and Air Peace for successfully evacuating Nigerians caught up in the violence, describing the operation as a demonstration of government’s responsibility to protect its citizens wherever they may be.

It particularly commended Air Peace for swiftly deploying a replacement aircraft after the original evacuation plane developed a technical fault in Johannesburg, ensuring the exercise was completed without unnecessary delay.

“HURIWA commends the Federal Government of Nigeria and Air Peace for the successful evacuation of Nigerians fleeing the latest wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa. The prompt rescue operation has undoubtedly saved many innocent lives and reflects the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens wherever they may be,” the statement said.

The association, however, stressed that bringing Nigerians home should not mark the end of the government’s response, noting that repeated attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa had become an unacceptable pattern of violence and impunity.

It observed that for years, Nigerians had established legitimate businesses, invested in properties, paid taxes and contributed to the South African economy, only to become targets of violent mobs who destroyed their means of livelihood and, in some cases, killed innocent people.

According to HURIWA, President Bola Tinubu and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should immediately begin high-level diplomatic engagements with the South African government to secure compensation for every Nigerian whose business, home, investment or other legally acquired property was destroyed during the attacks.

It added that families of Nigerians who lost their lives should also receive justice and adequate compensation.

“The Nigerian government owes its citizens more than evacuation flights. It owes them justice, restitution and the assurance that their rights and dignity will be defended wherever they reside,” the group stated.

HURIWA warned that should the South African government fail to provide satisfactory compensation and credible guarantees against future attacks, Nigeria should review its diplomatic relationship with Pretoria.

It recommended the downgrading of diplomatic ties and the mobilisation of the African Union and other African governments to exert coordinated diplomatic pressure until justice is served.

According to the association, African solidarity should not exist only in speeches while fellow Africans continue to suffer violent attacks without meaningful consequences.

The group also urged the Federal Government to establish a comprehensive database of Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks to facilitate proper documentation of losses and strengthen Nigeria’s demand for compensation through diplomatic and international legal channels.

HURIWA reaffirmed its solidarity with every Nigerian affected by the attacks, urging the government to match the courage it displayed in rescuing its citizens with equal determination to secure justice, compensation and lasting protection for them.

“Nigeria must make it unmistakably clear that while its citizens can be evacuated from danger, their rights, investments and dignity can never be abandoned,” it added.