“We’re frustrated, stranded here without shelter, food,” Nigerians Protest Delayed Repatriation Flights In South Africa

Hundreds of Nigerians in South Africa took to the streets of Pretoria on Monday in a peaceful demonstration, voicing anger over stalled repatriation flights and sluggish processing as xenophobic attacks continue to grip the country.

The demonstrators gathered outside the Nigerian High Commission, chanting “We no go gree” as they called on the federal government to take immediate action on their deteriorating situation.

In a video captured during the protest, one of the stranded Nigerians spoke out over the prolonged delays, decrying the plight of women and children left without basic necessities.

“I didn’t really support what the ambassador was saying because it didn’t specify the specific date when the flight could have come,” the protester said.

“This is because the federal government from our information released five aircrafts from which one came and took people, remaining four aircrafts.

“The question is why the delay because there are stranded women and children hoping to come only to hear that the flight is cancelled.

“Today, these women in this weather sleep outside. There is no food, shelter and blanket,” he stated.

The spokesperson went further to question the abrupt cancellation of scheduled flights, maintaining that those awaiting evacuation were fully prepared to return home as tensions in the country continued to rise.

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He added, “We want to know what is going on because from what we’re told the relief is not there. Only one flight is not enough. They said five. We have only seen one. Where is the remaining four?

“We are ready to go home. Our people are ready to go home because of these tension going on in South Africa. Most of us might look stranded but we have a home. We are here not because we are desperate but because we love South Africa.”

Nigeria’s acting high commissioner in South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, who spoke directly to the protesters, clarified that the repatriation exercise had not been scrapped but only put on hold for operational reasons, pledging that all affected citizens would be flown home before June 30.

“Contrary to insinuations that are going on that the repatriation has been cancelled, it has not been cancelled. It was only temporarily suspended due to operational reasons,” Mr Ajayi stated.

The demonstration unfolded against the backdrop of renewed anti-immigration sentiment in South Africa, as the Nigerian government continues efforts to bring home citizens who wish to leave the country.

Earlier, scores of Nigerians awaiting evacuation had undergone screening at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria as part of the ongoing exercise, while officials worked to finalise flight arrangements for registered returnees.

Days ago, 268 Nigerians were successfully evacuated from South Africa. However, more than 742 others remained stranded across various provinces, still waiting for their turn.

The continued delays have intensified pressure on the Nigerian government to accelerate the evacuation process and extend urgent support to citizens still caught in limbo.