Nigeria plans voluntary repatriation from South Africa after attacks on nationals

Nigeria says it is preparing voluntary repatriation flights for nationals in South Africa who want to return home, after a series of attacks and anti-immigrant marches raised fears of further violence.

Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said 130 people had already registered for the exercise and that the number was expected to rise.

She said the government was documenting Nigerians in South Africa and their businesses as part of the response.

Nigeria has also summoned South Africa's acting High Commissioner and said it will formally convey its "profound concern" at a meeting later on Monday.

The foreign ministry said the talks would focus on recent marches by anti-immigrant groups and documented instances of mistreatment of Nigerian citizens.

The move comes after Nigeria said two Nigerians had been killed in separate incidents involving local security personnel.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the government was demanding justice and that Nigerian lives and businesses in South Africa must not continue to be put at risk.

The issue matters because Nigeria said the incidents could affect relations between the two countries.

It also comes amid wider concern over attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, where anti-migrant rhetoric has featured in recent demonstrations.

#Nigeria #SouthAfrica #xenophobicviolence #repatriation #BiancaOdumegwuOjukwu