600 Nigerians to be repatriated from South Africa after xenophobic violence

As many as 600 Nigerians will be repatriated from South Africa this week following a wave of xenophobic violence in the country, according to AFP news agency.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari said in a statement on Monday, "We have made arrangements for the immediate voluntary evacuation of all Nigerians in South Africa who are willing to return home. I have directed the relevant agencies to ensure this is done speedily and efficiently."

He also said, "I have received the report from the Special Envoy I sent to South Africa last week.

"We will continue to put pressure on the South African Government to take concrete and visible measures to stop violence against citizens of other African nations.

"The recurring issue of xenophobia and attacks on African nationals remains very worrying.

"If nothing is done to stop it, it could negatively affect the image and standing of South Africa as one of the leading countries in Africa. It has to be stopped.

"On our own part let me reiterate that the Nigerian Government will continue to do everything possible to ensure the safety of the lives, property and business interests of Nigerians in South Africa, and of South Africans in Nigeria."

#BREAKING Nigeria will repatriate about 600 citizens from South Africa this week following a wave of xenophobic violence pic.twitter.com/vZiy4elITw

— AFP news agency (@AFP) September 9, 2019.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari will visit South Africa next month to reinforce the bonds between the two countries after a wave of deadly riots and xenophobic attacks, the South African presidency said on Saturday.

South Africa's MTN Group and supermarket chain Shoprite have closed all stores and service centers in Nigeria after their premises were attacked.

Those attacks followed days of riots in South Africa that mainly targeted foreign-owned, including Nigerian, businesses. 

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday at least 10 people had been killed, two of them foreign nationals, in violence that began in Pretoria and spread to nearby Johannesburg.

The violence in South Africa has stoked concerns about relations between Africa's two biggest economies. Nigeria said on Thursday it would recall its top diplomat to Pretoria.