BREAKING: Stranded Nigerians Protest in South Africa Over Evacuation Delays [VIDEO]
Some stranded Nigerians in South Africa on Monday staged a protest at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria over delays in their evacuation back home.
The protesters, who had gathered at the commission’s premises, expressed frustration over the prolonged wait for repatriation flights despite earlier assurances from Nigerian authorities.
In videos circulating online, the aggrieved Nigerians were seen chanting and demanding immediate action from government officials handling the evacuation process.
“We no go gree o, we wan go,” the protesters repeatedly chanted as they called for urgent intervention.
The protest comes amid growing concerns over the welfare of many Nigerians still stranded in South Africa following renewed anti-immigration tensions and rising xenophobic fears in parts of the country.
Many of those awaiting evacuation are said to be facing severe hardship. Some reportedly lack stable shelter, while others are struggling with access to food and basic necessities as delays continue.
The Federal Government had earlier commenced efforts to evacuate Nigerians willing to return home, with screening exercises conducted at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to verify and document returnees.
The evacuation exercise was expected to provide relief for affected citizens, especially those displaced by rising tensions and worsening living conditions.
However, despite the commencement of the process, several Nigerians remain stranded, with many complaining about uncertainty surrounding flight schedules and inadequate communication from relevant authorities.
Available figures indicate that about 258 Nigerians have so far been successfully evacuated from South Africa.
However, more than 742 registered Nigerians are still reportedly waiting across different provinces for transportation arrangements to be completed.
The delay has heightened anxiety among those affected, with many now calling on the Federal Government to speed up the evacuation process before conditions worsen further.
Some of the protesters urged Nigerian authorities to act swiftly, warning that the continued delay could expose stranded citizens to deeper hardship and security risks.
As of press time, there had been no official response from the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria regarding Monday’s protest.
Recall that POLITICS NIGERIA had earlier reported that hundreds of Nigerians underwent screening in Pretoria as part of the government’s repatriation programme, raising hopes of a swift return for affected citizens.
