FG threatens retaliation on South Africa over attacks on citizens
Bianca Ojukwu, Foreign Affiars minister with Presidemt Tinubu and President of Madagascar at Aso Rock
By Mathew Brangyet
The Federal Government is considering retaliatory measures against South Africa over renewed attacks on Nigerians, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu has said.
“That is a situation that we are considering… but it’s not off the table,” she told State House correspondents on Monday while briefing on the welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.
“It hurts, given Nigeria’s role in Apartheid fight,” she added.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria was “unhappy” with the treatment of its citizens, citing the country’s historical support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.
Nigeria, she recalled, committed financial resources to the liberation fight and reserved university spaces for South African students. Many Nigerians now feel that contribution has not been reciprocated, she said.
She rejected claims by some South African officials that Nigerians seeking evacuation were illegal migrants. “That is absolutely untrue,” the minister stated.
According to her, Nigerian-owned businesses have been looted and burned, while children face intimidation in schools. “Many of those affected were engaged in legitimate businesses,” she added.
The minister also accused South African authorities of targeting black migrants specifically. “They are not asking other migrants to leave; they are only asking black migrants to leave,” she said.
On evacuation, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said there had been no delay. What remained, she explained, was completion of documentation by South African authorities.
She disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had ordered his presidential aircraft to be deployed to repatriate distressed Nigerians.
“The repatriation is on course,” she said.
A crisis response unit has been set up at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate in Johannesburg to coordinate the exercise. Officials from both countries are screening returnees and issuing clearance documents.
The minister noted that the number of Nigerians seeking to return was rising, with some needing transport to the consulate. She said the Federal Government, working with NEMA and other agencies, was preparing rehabilitation support for evacuees on arrival.
The briefing underscores Abuja’s shift from diplomatic protests to considering concrete action if the attacks persist.
