Retaliatory Measures against South Africa Not Off the Table, says FG

The federal government says it will not rule out retaliatory measures against South Africa over the latest xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, minister of foreign affairs, relayed the federal government’s position in a chat with State House correspondents at the presidential villa in Abuja on Monday, while unfurling arrangements to evacuate Nigerians who want to return home from South Africa.

Asked whether Nigeria may retaliate by restricting privileges for South Africans in Nigeria, the minister said: “Well, that is a situation that we are considering”.

“This is up to our legislature. This is a decision that has to be taken at the highest level of government, but it’s not off the table.”

Odumegwu-Ojukwu voiced strong displeasure over South Africa’s response to the xenophobic violence in the country, noting that Nigerians continue to face harassment, intimidation and attacks on their businesses despite multiple engagements.

“Nigeria is not happy because Nigeria has sacrificed much for the South African struggle for independence. Nigeria sacrificed quite a lot, committed funds, committed resources to aid South Africa,” she said.

A first batch of over 1,000 Nigerians in South Africa were expected to return home on Monday but the repatriation flight was later rescheduled to Wednesday over documentation delays.

“The figures keep increasing. There are several processes, as you know, that have to be undertaken by South African Homeland Security,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.

“We ensure that we screen our citizens who want to return; they also are part of the screening process, and once the citizens are cleared, they are given a paper that indicates they are free to go, essentially.”

At least 270 Nigerians are expected to comprise the first batch.