SOUTH AFRICA: FG to demand compensation for abandoned Nigerian businesses as 271 more returnees arrive
The federal government of Nigeria has announced plans to seek full compensation for businesses, properties, and assets abandoned by Nigerians fleeing South Africa under the government’s voluntary evacuation programme.
This disclosure was made on Tuesday by Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
According to Ajayi, the government has already commenced a comprehensive documentation process for all assets left behind by the returnees ahead of planned anti-immigrant protests in South Africa.
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“We have asked those returning to accurately document everything they are leaving behind, including businesses, cars, and other properties. We will work with the South African government to identify these assets and seek possible compensation,” Ajayi stated.
The High Commissioner emphasized that the government’s intervention would not end with just repatriation, reaffirming Abuja’s commitment to protecting the investments of its citizens abroad.
Ajayi also debunked widespread claims that the majority of Nigerians residing in South Africa are undocumented. He maintained that many entered the country legally but fell victim to severe bureaucratic delays in the renewal of their immigration documents by South African authorities.
‘Don’t go to South Africa’ — 271 fresh returnees land in Lagos
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 271 Nigerian evacuees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Tuesday at about 10:35 AM aboard an Air Peace Boeing 777-200 aircraft.
Stepping off the plane, the visibly shaken returnees warned fellow citizens against relocating to South Africa, describing the country as increasingly unsafe for foreigners due to renewed xenophobic hostilities.
Many of the evacuees recounted harrowing experiences of intimidation, constant threats, and violent attacks, explaining that they had to abandon their hard-earned investments just to escape with their lives.
Returnees recount losses and xenophobic hostility
Speaking to journalists shortly after landing, some of the returnees shared their experiences.
Emmanuela (Returnee): “They are so jealous because Nigerians are hardworking and enterprising, so they feel threatened. They constantly tell us to leave or be killed. My life was no longer safe, so I had to leave. I left everything behind in South Africa.” She further alleged that South African authorities deliberately frustrate Nigerians trying to obtain legal residency permits.
Sandy Oris (Returnee from Anambra State): Moving to South Africa 14 years ago was “the biggest mistake” of his life. After suffering repeated attacks, his shop was recently looted and destroyed. “They destroyed my shop and took all my goods. I came back to Nigeria with nothing,” he lamented.
Oris defended the Nigerian community against negative stereotypes, asserting that most allegations leveled against them are fueled by prejudice. He appealed to the Federal Government to provide urgent financial support and rehabilitation for the returnees, many of whom have completely lost their livelihoods.
