Wave of Nigerians Fleeing South Africa Amid Xenophobic Attacks

Over 1,094 Nigerians have registered for voluntary repatriation from South Africa, marking a staggering surge from the previous 130 applicants. This sharp increase follows a violent escalation of xenophobic unrest, forcing thousands to seek government assistance to return home as their safety in the host country continues to deteriorate.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria’s foreign ministry, confirmed that a joint screening process is currently underway to evaluate the eligibility of those seeking to exit. The sudden influx of requests highlights the failure of existing security measures to curb targeted violence against foreign nationals. As the registry grows, the diplomatic strain between the two nations deepens, reflecting the precarious reality for expatriates currently trapped by the volatile atmosphere on the ground.