from EMEKA OKONKWO in Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
ABUJA, (CAJ News) – THE Nigerian government reports there is no improvement in the situation in South Africa, culminating in another 33 Nigerian nationals being evacuated following the xenophobic incidents.
These nationals are from Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Ogun, Lagos, Ondo and Oyo states.
“The situation in South Africa is not improving,” Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs, said on Friday.
She cited the alleged killing of two Nigerians – James Uchechukwu Nwankwo and Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle – this month.
The Private Group of Business Friends (PGNBF) funded the evacuation of 26 of these 33 returnees.
They had previously funded the repatriation of 83 nationals, then another 67 from South Africa. With these 26, they have funded the repatriation of 176 Nigerian nationals from South Africa.
The Nigerian Lawyers Association (NLASA) funded the return of five of the evacuees.
A private citizen from Bayelsa funded the return of three indigenes from the state.
The Igbo Lawyers Association South Africa (ILASA) recently funded the repatriation of 28 nationals.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu continued a call on state governments to complement federal government efforts in the repatriation of citizens in South Africa, by assisting their indigenes she said had been forced out of South Africa, abandoning their properties and livelihoods.
Dr Peter Mbah, Enugu governor, earlier this week hosted a grand reception to welcome home 77 Enugu families, made up of 112 indigenes, doling out N1 million (US$750) to each of the families.
Relations between Nigeria and South Africa are strained.
Nigeria has condemned these targeted killings and called on South African authorities to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Furthermore, Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended official visits to South Africa and also boycotted South African-hosted legislative activities.
– CAJ News