Buhari Orders Evacuation of Nigerians in S/Africa

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate evacuation of all Nigerians who are willing to leave South Africa in the light of recent xenophobic attacks on nationals of other African countries. This was disclosed in a statement issued by President Buhari’s media aide, Mr Femi Adesina, on Monday, September 9.

“The Special Envoy conveyed the assurance of President Buhari that the Nigerian Government is ready and willing to collaborate with the South African Government to find a lasting solution to the involvement of few Nigerians in criminal activities, and to protect the lives and property of the larger groups of other law abiding Nigerians and indeed Africans in general, against all forms of attacks including xenophobia,” Mr Adesina said.

He also said this will happen while the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, continues to engage with appropriate authorities on the concrete measures the South African government is expected to take regarding the conflict.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday, September 4 that it would commence the evacuation of Nigerians who are willing to leave South Africa on Friday, September 6, completely free of charge.

In Monday’s statement, Adesina said Abubakar stressed the need for the South African government to take visible measures to stop violence against Nigerians and other Africans.

According to reports, among the 11 people that were killed, none were Nigerians while two of whom were unidentified foreigners.

Nigeria’s Consul General in Johannesburg, Godwin Adamu, told reporters on Monday that about 600 Nigerians are ready for repatriation.

“Air Peace is beginning the airlift by Wednesday, the first flight with 320 Nigerians. We will have another one immediately after that,” he said.

Mr Buhari had, last week, sent the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Abubakar, as a special envoy to South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa to register his concerns over the attacks.

The President has also assured Nigerians that the government will guarantee the safety of lives, property and business interests of South Africans in Nigeria.