Nigeria Seeks Compensation for Citizens Who Left South Africa Amid Anti-Migrant Protests

Nigeria has announced it will seek compensation from South Africa for its citizens who have left the country following recent protests targeting undocumented migrants. The foreign ministry spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, told the BBC that the issue would be discussed between the two governments "at the highest levels."

Nigeria's acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, said on local television that the government had begun documenting businesses and properties left behind by Nigerians. One Nigerian trader waiting to be repatriated, Oghodero Erejor Wilson, told the BBC he had lived in South Africa for nearly a decade and had abandoned his business and home because he feared for his safety. "I left everything in my house including clothes," he said, adding he was losing "everything because of fear."

More than 600 Nigerians have already been repatriated in recent weeks, and hundreds more are still waiting to be evacuated. The South African authorities say those who have been flown home were in the country illegally, though this is disputed by Nigeria.

The protests, organized by groups demanding tougher action against illegal migration, included marches attended by thousands of people. Some anti-migrant groups had given undocumented foreigners a deadline of 30 June to leave the country. While the marches were largely peaceful, there were isolated incidents of violence against foreigners. The South African police say that about 900 people were arrested, mostly for immigration-related offences and looting.

According to the BBC, roughly 25,000 nationals of other African countries have left South Africa following the wave of protests. Africanews, citing South Africa's Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, reports that more than 50,000 foreign nationals have so far been processed for repatriation and deportation. Most repatriations have been to Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, and Uganda.

Compensation Dispute

Nigeria says it is collating details of its citizens who recently returned from South Africa to push for compensation for properties and businesses left behind. Abuja says compensation requests will be discussed at the highest levels once losses have been verified.

However, a minister in South Africa's presidency said no compensation would come from Pretoria. Khumbudzo Ntshaveni told local broadcaster eNCA that many of the Nigerian nationals lived in informal settlements which, by law, are not legal. "You are already violating the law if you are going to be telling us about a shack or informal settlement," Ntshaveni said.

Nigeria's acting high commissioner said he had asked all of those who had left South Africa "to document very accurately those things they were leaving behind in terms of businesses, in terms of even cars, movable and immovable properties."

Repatriation Complete

The Nigerian foreign ministry said on Thursday that the voluntary repatriation of its citizens from South Africa had been completed after weeks of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigration protests. A fifth government-arranged flight carrying 305 people arrived in Lagos, bringing the total number of Nigerian citizens repatriated since 10 June to 1,490, according to Africanews.

In a statement, the Nigerian foreign ministry reaffirmed its "unwavering commitment to the protection and welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad" and said it opposed "all forms of xenophobia, racial intolerance and violence" against foreign nationals. Nigeria has said two of its citizens were killed on 28 June in the build-up to the end-of-month unofficial deadline for foreigners to leave.

Nigeria also said it hoped to engage in constructive dialogue with South African authorities. The BBC has asked South Africa's government for comment on Nigeria's compensation demand.