FG Seeks Compensation as More Nigerians Return From South Africa

The Federal Government says it will ask South Africa to compensate Nigerians who were forced to leave behind businesses, cars, shops and other properties amid renewed anti-immigrant tensions in the country.

The move comes as more Nigerians continue to return home through government-backed evacuation flights. According to the report, 269 more Nigerians arrived in Lagos, raising the total number of evacuees so far to 603.

Returnees Told to Document Losses

Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, said the government had started compiling details of businesses and properties abandoned by returnees.

Ajayi explained that the records would help Nigeria engage South African authorities on possible compensation for affected citizens. He said returnees had been asked to give accurate information on what they left behind, including businesses, vehicles and other assets.

According to him, the evacuation will not end with bringing Nigerians home. The government plans to follow up on the information received and present verified claims to South Africa.

603 Nigerians Evacuated So Far

The latest batch of returnees arrived as part of the evacuation operation approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The report said 268 Nigerians were first airlifted by Air Peace on June 11, while 66 others were evacuated by ValueJet on July 25. The latest Air Peace flight brought home another 269 people.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the evacuation would continue, with more flights expected for Nigerians who had been screened and cleared to voluntarily return home.

FG Says Many Nigerians Entered Legally

Ajayi pushed back against claims that most affected Nigerians were undocumented migrants.

He said many Nigerians entered South Africa through legal immigration channels but became stranded because of delays in processing renewals and other immigration documents by South Africa’s Home Office.

According to him, it would be unfair to classify such people as illegal when their documents were delayed by administrative problems.

Nigerians Urged to Stay Calm

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised Nigerians still waiting for evacuation to remain calm and security conscious.

The ministry also urged them to avoid protest routes and areas where demonstrators were gathered. It said affected citizens should remain in contact with the Nigerian High Commission for updates.

Protests Reported as Largely Peaceful

Nigerians living in South Africa said the June 30 protests were largely peaceful because of heavy security deployment.

South African authorities reportedly deployed thousands of law enforcement officers, drones, helicopters and CCTV cameras across Gauteng Province to prevent the protests from turning violent.

Some residents said businesses were shut and many people stayed indoors because of fear and uncertainty. However, they said the presence of security forces helped keep the situation under control.

Nigerians in South Africa Call for More Flights

Some Nigerians still in South Africa appealed to the Federal Government to send more evacuation flights.

A Nigerian resident in Johannesburg said many people were willing to return home but were still stranded. He argued that the five approved flights may not be enough for everyone who wants to leave.

Igbo Union Says Law-Abiding Nigerians Will Stay

The National Secretary of Igbo Union South Africa, Ezeanozie Eleberi, said many Nigerians in the country have legal businesses, families and strong economic ties.

He said not all Nigerians want to leave South Africa, adding that many have contributed to the country’s economy and should not be forced out by civilian protest groups.

Eleberi also said Nigerian associations and the Consulate had been working to support stranded nationals with emergency materials such as food and water.

Home Affairs Delays Remain a Major Issue

Eleberi also blamed part of the problem on South Africa’s Home Affairs system.

He said many Nigerians became undocumented because their permit renewal applications were not processed on time. He admitted that some people may have overstayed or entered through wrong channels, but argued that the broader immigration system also needed attention.