Nigeria Plans Citizen Evacuation from South Africa Amid Protests

Nigeria's Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu announced Thursday that the government plans to evacuate its citizens who wish to return home from South Africa, following a phone conversation with South African counterpart Ronald Lamola amid escalating anti-foreigner protests targeting Nigerians and other black Africans.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed the discussions on social media, emphasizing that Nigeria cannot ignore the systematic harassment and humiliation of its nationals, including allegations of extrajudicial killings. "I maintained that our government cannot stand by and watch the systematic harassment and humiliation of our nationals resident in South Africa as well as the extrajudicial killings of our people, and that the evacuation of our citizens who want to return home remains our government's priority at this time," she stated. Lamola expressed concern over the evacuation plans, noting that South African authorities have not received credible information on the alleged killings and prefer addressing irregular migration through other means.

The latest protest occurred in Durban on May 6 and remained peaceful due to heavy security, though the Nigerian mission advised...