Nigeria may retaliate against South Africa over xenophobic attacks
Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu says Nigeria may consider retaliatory measures against South Africa in response to decades of xenophobic attacks that have killed two Nigerians—Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew. The victims were reportedly attacked by SANDF officials in Port Elizabeth, with Nigeria expressing "unhappiness" at South Africa's "complacency" and "apathetic response." Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized Nigeria's significant sacrifices during South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle, calling the South African government's claim that violence targets only illegal immigrants "absolutely untrue." She stated that Nigerians with valid legal status are being harassed, with their shops, homes, and businesses looted or destroyed. The Nigerian police have warned against retaliatory attacks on South African interests in Nigeria. The government plans to repatriate approximately 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa, with flights covering their return costs. Originally scheduled for Monday, the evacuation was postponed to Wednesday due to "unforeseen logistical considerations," though screening has been extended to accommodate more Nigerians imperiled by the violence.