Some Nigerians who declined the Federal Government’s voluntary evacuation from South Africa have reportedly armed themselves for self-defence amid renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
The development comes as tensions continue to rise following the expiration of an unofficial June 30 ultimatum issued by anti-immigrant groups demanding that undocumented foreigners leave South Africa.
A video circulating on social media on Saturday showed two opposing groups, believed to be Nigerians and South African protesters, confronting each other across a makeshift boundary marked with ropes while police officers stood between them to prevent violence.
In the footage, some of the Nigerians were seen carrying cutlasses and other light weapons, while a narrator claimed they were waiting for their opponents to cross the boundary before responding. A gunshot was also heard during the standoff, further heightening fears of an imminent clash.
The incident occurred barely a day after another batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived in Lagos under the Federal Government’s repatriation programme launched in response to the latest wave of anti-immigrant violence.
The fourth batch of 271 evacuees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Friday, bringing the total number of Nigerians evacuated in four phases to over 600.
The Federal Government had commenced the voluntary evacuation exercise in June after fresh attacks on foreign nationals erupted in parts of South Africa.
The first batch of 262 Nigerians returned aboard an Air Peace flight on June 11, accompanied by government officials.
Authorities had disclosed that more than 1,000 Nigerians registered for voluntary repatriation, with additional evacuation flights expected for those still willing to return home.
However, despite the exercise, many Nigerians chose to remain in South Africa, where security concerns have continued to worsen.
The latest unrest followed renewed campaigns by anti-immigrant organisations, including the March and March movement, which accused undocumented migrants of taking jobs from South Africans and overstretching public services.
Addressing supporters in Durban before the June 30 deadline expired, the group’s leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, called for the mass deportation of undocumented migrants.
She alleged that illegal immigration had worsened unemployment and urged authorities to remove foreigners who failed to leave the country within six months.
Following the deadline, protesters reportedly stormed houses and hotels suspected to be harbouring foreign nationals.
One widely circulated video showed a man being dragged out of his residence alongside his pregnant wife and children as he repeatedly pleaded with the mob to spare his family.
South African police confirmed that at least four foreign nationals — two Mozambicans, one Ethiopian and one Malawian — were killed in the latest wave of violence.
The attacks have prompted several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, to organise voluntary evacuation programmes for their citizens.
South African authorities reportedly said more than 25,000 people had been processed for departure in recent weeks.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly condemned the attacks on its citizens and urged South African authorities to fulfil their responsibility of protecting the lives and property of all residents, irrespective of nationality.
Through the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the government has continued to advise Nigerians still residing in South Africa to remain calm, avoid identified flashpoints and immediately report any security threats to law enforcement agencies.
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