The Federal Government has said retaliatory measures against South Africa remain an option following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians.
Speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed that the government is reviewing possible responses while outlining plans to evacuate Nigerians willing to return home from South Africa.
Responding to questions on whether Nigeria could impose restrictions on South African interests in the country, 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 expressed dissatisfaction with South Africa’s handling of the recurring attacks, noting that Nigerians continue to face intimidation, harassment and attacks on their businesses despite repeated diplomatic 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.
Meanwhile, the planned repatriation of more than 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa, initially scheduled for Monday, has been postponed until Wednesday due to documentation-related delays.
“The figures keep increasing. There are several processes, as you know, that have to be undertaken by South African Homeland Security,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained.
“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.”
According to the minister, about 270 Nigerians are expected to make up the first batch of evacuees.