258 Nigerians Return Home, Share Disturbing Stories of Attacks in South Africa

258 Nigerians Return Home, Share Disturbing Stories of Attacks in South Africa

LAGOS, NIGERIA – For the 258 Nigerians who arrived in the country aboard an Air Peace flight under the Federal Government’s evacuation programme, Thursday marked the end of years of fear, uncertainty, discrimination, and alleged xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Many of the returnees appeared emotional as they stepped onto Nigerian soil after enduring what they described as years of hostility and insecurity. Some knelt in gratitude, others raised their hands in celebration, while many embraced relatives waiting to receive them.

For several of the evacuees, returning home represented not only an escape from danger but also an opportunity to rebuild their lives after years of struggle abroad.

Among those who spoke about their experiences were Rafiu Wasiu, Adediran Ayodeji, Enitan Amao, Abdullahi Muniru, and Joy, a mother of two. Their stories painted a troubling picture of life as Nigerian migrants in South Africa amid recurring reports of xenophobic tensions and anti-foreigner sentiment.

Rafiu Wasiu, an Ogun State indigene who spent about 11 years in South Africa, said he hopes to erase the painful memories of his time there.

According to him, Nigerians often faced discrimination based solely on their nationality.

“If anything happens and they hear you are from Nigeria, they immediately assume you are wrong, even when you are right,” he said.

Wasiu alleged that migrants were frequently subjected to harassment, intimidation, and extortion by criminals and sometimes security operatives.

He claimed that on one occasion, a friend was arrested without justification and was only released after a payment of 2,500 rand.

The automobile mechanic explained that he originally left Nigeria in search of better economic opportunities and hoped to improve the welfare of his family through earnings from abroad.

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However, he said the reality turned out to be very different from his expectations.

Despite the difficulties, Wasiu expressed optimism about his future in Nigeria.

“I am not a lazy man. I can work. At least here, I feel protected. I want to rest, stay with my family, clear my mind, and then begin again,” he said.

Another returnee, Adediran Ayodeji from Oyo State, described life in South Africa as increasingly difficult for foreign nationals.

Ayodeji, who spent 13 years in the country pursuing higher education and working as a chef and digital marketer, said he was relieved to be back in Nigeria.

He disclosed plans to continue his education and possibly join the Nigerian military to contribute to the fight against insecurity.

“I am happy to be back home. I want to continue my education and also serve Nigeria,” he said.

Perhaps one of the most disturbing accounts came from Enitan Amao, who alleged that a friend lost an eye during an attack on foreigners.

According to Amao, who worked in the private security sector, tensions escalated in communities where foreign nationals lived.

“A friend of mine lost one of his eyes during an attack. His employer had to take him to hospital where doctors fitted him with an artificial eye,” he said.

Amao further claimed that large groups of people armed with sticks and other weapons had threatened migrant communities in parts of Johannesburg.

He also recounted suffering a serious leg injury while attempting to escape an attack.

The injury, he said, left him unable to work for nearly two years due to the high cost of medical treatment.

Meanwhile, Joy, a mother of two young children, said concerns about her children’s safety influenced her decision to return home.

Carrying her 10-month-old baby while speaking to journalists, she described the challenges of living as a foreign national in South Africa.

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According to her, many Nigerians remain in South Africa despite security concerns because they fear returning to Nigeria without sufficient savings to restart their lives.

Her husband remains in South Africa to manage family property and raise funds before eventually returning home.

“I came back because of my children. Their safety comes first,” she said.

The latest evacuation follows growing concerns over threats allegedly directed at foreign nationals in some South African communities.

Over the years, xenophobic violence in South Africa has periodically drawn condemnation from African governments, human rights organisations, and regional bodies. Several incidents have resulted in deaths, injuries, displacement, and the destruction of businesses owned by migrants from different African countries.

In response to the latest concerns, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said the Federal Government is considering escalating the issue to the African Union (AU) in search of a lasting continental solution.

According to the minister, attacks targeting individuals because of their nationality are unacceptable and require a coordinated response from African leaders.

“When you have leaders encouraging violence against other nationalities, that is unacceptable. We are engaging South African authorities at different levels and may also take the matter to the African Union for broader intervention,” he said.

The minister stressed that African nations must work together to protect the lives, rights, and property of all residents regardless of nationality.

As the returnees begin the difficult task of rebuilding their lives in Nigeria, many say they remain grateful to have escaped what they described as years of fear and uncertainty.

For them, returning home represents more than a journey across borders—it is a chance to start over and reclaim a sense of safety, dignity, and belonging.

258 Nigerians Return Home, Share Disturbing Stories of Attacks in South Africa