Hundreds of Nigerians awaiting evacuation from South Africa are facing severe hardship as delays continue to affect the second batch of repatriation flights organised by the Federal Government.
Many of the affected citizens, including women, children and the elderly, have reportedly exhausted their savings after travelling from different provinces for registration and screening, only to be left stranded without adequate support.
The President of the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, expressed concern over the situation and called on the Federal Government to accelerate the evacuation process.
According to him, several Nigerians are currently battling hunger, homelessness and uncertainty as they await information on when the next evacuation flights will depart.
Onyekwelu said many of the stranded citizens travelled long distances in response to the government’s evacuation programme, believing arrangements for their return had already been concluded.
He noted that numerous families are now without shelter, food, transportation or the financial resources needed to sustain themselves while waiting for evacuation.
The NICASA president also raised concerns about reports of poor communication and alleged mistreatment by some officials during the registration and screening exercise.
He stressed that Nigerians who complied with official directives deserved empathy and assistance rather than experiences that worsened their already difficult circumstances.
Onyekwelu urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide emergency humanitarian support and establish a relief mechanism for stranded Nigerians pending their departure.
He further appealed to relevant government agencies to facilitate the remaining evacuation flights to ensure all registered citizens are returned home without further delay.
Meanwhile, a Nigerian who spoke anonymously said fear and anxiety were growing among undocumented migrants ahead of the June 30 deadline reportedly issued by anti-immigration groups in South Africa.
The source disclosed that many Nigerians were relying on friends for temporary accommodation, while others remained at consulates awaiting evacuation under difficult conditions.
According to the individual, many people became homeless after losing jobs that provided accommodation following warnings against the employment of undocumented immigrants.
Another Nigerian, Nze Akumezienwata, advised fellow citizens in South Africa to remain vigilant and make preparations to leave the country, especially those currently sleeping on the streets.
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians seeking to return home that they will be evacuated before the June 30 deadline. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said 258 Nigerians had already been evacuated in the first batch, while more than 742 others remain on the waiting list after nearly 1,000 people registered for the programme.
