Fear grips diaspora as attacks, looting force businesses shut; Nigerians signal mass return amid rising unrest

Amid a fresh wave of xenophobic unrest in South Africa, the Nigerian government has moved to evacuate its citizens, offering free repatriation flights to those willing to return home permanently.

The initiative, coordinated by the Nigerian Consulate in partnership with the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), comes as growing violence and intimidation force many Nigerians to abandon their businesses and remain indoors for safety.

NICASA President, Frank Onyekwelu, confirmed that interest in the evacuation programme is rising rapidly, with many already registering to leave.

“The Nigerian Consulate, in conjunction with NICASA, has offered a free repatriation flight to any Nigerian who wishes to leave South Africa permanently. The process is ongoing, and we have recorded significant interest,” he said.

Across major cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, anti-foreigner protests have spiralled into violence, with reports of harassment, looting, and destruction of foreign-owned businesses.

Nigerians and other African migrants say they are living in fear, with many forced to shut down shops and stay indoors as mobs target perceived foreigners.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has advised business owners to temporarily close operations to minimise risks, as panic spreads through affected communities.

The protests are being driven by anti-immigration groups such as Operation Dudula and other local movements, which accuse migrants of fuelling crime and unemployment. Demonstrators have openly demanded the deportation of undocumented foreigners, particularly from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Somalia.

Tensions escalated further following the deaths of two Nigerians, Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, in separate incidents confirmed by the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg. Authorities say investigations are ongoing.

In viral videos circulating online, protesters are seen marching with sticks and chanting anti-foreigner slogans, with some directly confronting migrants and ordering them to leave the country.

For many Nigerian traders, the situation has translated into heavy economic losses and growing uncertainty.

Yemisi Adewale, a restaurant operator in Johannesburg, recounted narrowly escaping an attack at a local market.

“They are targeting our shops to loot and destroy. Even with police presence, the attacks continue. We’ve had to shut down because once your shop is open, you become a target,” she said.

Another trader described the unrest as “organised violence disguised as protest,” alleging that hundreds of shops owned by foreigners have already been looted.

“We are living in fear. No one dares to open their business anymore,” she said.

Community leaders, however, offered a more nuanced view, noting that the violence is concentrated in specific areas, particularly informal settlements where many small-scale traders operate.

President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in South Africa, ABC Okokoh, said the unrest is not widespread across the entire country but acknowledged its severe impact on vulnerable groups.

“Those most affected are informal traders trying to survive. In some areas, normal activities continue, but in hotspots, people are staying indoors,” he explained.

He also warned that local actors may be exploiting the situation for political advantage, while authorities tread carefully to avoid escalating tensions.

Similarly, the President of the Association of Yorubas in Diaspora, Olusola Agbeniyi, said there were no confirmed deaths directly linked to the protests, adding that security agencies remain present in affected areas.

South African police have condemned the attacks, stressing that intimidation and violence against foreigners violate the country’s democratic values.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stepped in, with Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu engaging South African authorities in ongoing diplomatic talks.

As uncertainty lingers, many Nigerians are left weighing a difficult decision: endure the risks or return home.