Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari announced Monday, September 9 that his government had “made arrangements for the immediate voluntary evacuation of all Nigerians in South Africa who are willing to return home.”
At least 640 Nigerian nationals in South Africa have already voluntarily registered to come back, according to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, head of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, who told reporters on Sept. 9 that flights to bring them home would depart South Africa that week.
At least 12 people, including two foreigners, have died since anti-immigrant violence flared up in Pretoria, Johannesburg and elsewhere in South Africa this month. A number of businesses owned by immigrants from other African nations have been looted and destroyed, according to officials with the South African government’s Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster.
Dozens of people have been arrested in connection with the violence. Meanwhile, more than 750 foreign nationals were taking refuge at local police stations on Sept. 10 since coming under attack, the officials said.
The anti-immigrant violence has sparked protests and retaliation attacks against South Africans in Nigeria, Zambia and other countries across Africa in recent days.
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