First group of Nigerians returns home after anti-immigration protests in South Africa

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — The first group of Nigerians returned home from South Africa on Thursday as part of repatriation ordered by the government following violent anti-immigration protests.

A total of 262 passengers and three officials were on board the flight to Lagos, according to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry earlier said over 1,000 Nigerians have ​registered for voluntary return.

Authorities in South Africa said the returnees were found to be in the country illegally, contradicting Nigerian officials that they were fleeing xenophobic attacks.

Nigerian officials did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment.

Nigeria is the latest African nation to organize such evacuation flights home from South Africa. Since April, a series of anti-immigration protests have led to attacks against some foreigners. The protests highlight tensions between foreign workers and locals who claim foreigners are taking their jobs. South African officials have condemned them as xenophobic acts.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the president ordered the “evacuation of imperiled Nigerian citizens who consider their lives at risk by continued stay in South Africa.”

“The price of your peace, and the safety of your children is worth any sacrifices you have to make, or any assets you have to leave behind when fleeing a conflict zone or hate-infested environment,” the minister said in a message to those returning.

The evacuation by Nigeria follows Ghana ‘s repatriation of about 1,000 nationals from South Africa. Officials in South Africa said that most of the Ghanaians who returned home were undocumented.

Liberia has also expressed concerns over the safety of its citizens in South Africa. Local media have quoted President Joseph Boakai as saying that the government will take any necessary steps, including facilitating similar returns to Liberia.

According to South Africa’s Home Affairs Department, 586 Nigerians were processed for repatriation after they were found to be undocumented. It said the next group is due to leave on Monday.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said they were issued emergency travel documents by the Nigerian High Commission.

He also said they were declared “undesirable persons” and prohibited from reentering South Africa for five years. “Foreign nationals must ensure that their immigration status remains compliant with South African immigration laws at all times and to regularize their stay,” he said.

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Associated Press writer Mogomotsi Magome in Johannesburg contributed to this report.

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