By Peter Effiom
Over 700 Nigerians are still stuck in South Africa due to severe financial and administrative obstacles that have prevented their voluntary evacuation. The citizens registered to return home amid growing anti-immigration demonstrations and xenophobic threats in South African cities,
Weeks ago, President Bola Tinubu authorized cash for an emergency evacuation. However, the monies have not been released to Air Peace, the approved carrier, due to systemic administrative delays. Hundreds of people are now at risk of increased xenophobic violence.
Until the government payments are made, verified, and cleared, Air Peace has refused to send out further planes for rescue missions.
More than 1,000 Nigerians reportedly registered with the federal government to be repatriated right away.
Just 324 residents have made it back to Lagos safely. A smaller second batch of 66 returned via ValueJet, while the initial batch of 258 flew by Air Peace.
There are still over 700 documented applicants who are extremely vulnerable; several have apparently been forced to leave their local enterprises because of physical intimidation and displacement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is under increasing pressure from the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) and local officials to expedite administrative routes before tensions worsen.
Another evacuation flight carrying Nigerians from South Africa is scheduled to land in Lagos on Tuesday, June 30, according to confirmation from the Federal Government. An Air Peace has left Nigeria and will return with other Nigerians who have been evacuated.
Local anti-immigration organizations demanded that unauthorized foreigners leave the nation by June 30, which created a great deal of anxiety and safety worries.
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