Hundreds of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa arrive back in Nigeria after anti-migrant protests and reports of attacks on foreign nationals in recent months. Multiple outlets report that returnees describe initial relief at landing in Lagos, followed by concern about how to restart their lives. Accounts include people who say they had built work and routines in South Africa despite overstaying visas, and who now face the challenge of returning to economic conditions similar to those they left behind. Some returnees report they were directly harmed during anti-immigrant unrest in South Africa; one example cited by the Associated Press involves a Nigerian man who says he was attacked by protesters in May and suffered a head injury. The repatriations are reported to be carried out by Nigerian authorities, with South Africa-based tensions framed as a factor behind government actions to bring citizens home. After returning, returnees say they must find shelter, income, and support, often without legal documentation or the same work prospects they had while abroad. Overall reporting emphasizes the continuity of economic hardship after repatriation.
Nigerian repatriates from South Africa struggle to rebuild in Lagos
Hundreds of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa arrive back in Nigeria after anti-migrant protests and reports of attacks on foreign nationals in recent months. Multiple outlets report that return...
- Hundreds of Nigerians are repatriated from South Africa and arrive in Lagos.
- The repatriations follow recent anti-migrant marches and reports of violence against foreign nationals.
- Returnees say they face major economic challenges settling back in Nigeria.
- Some returnees describe having overstayed visas and built informal lives in South Africa.
- At least one reported attack on a Nigerian returnee occurred during anti-immigrant unrest in May.
LAGOS, Nigeria — When the flight carrying hundreds of Nigerians fleeing South Africa landed in Lagos last week, the first feeling of passenger Iniebong James was one of relief. Then came worry. Nearly two weeks after his return to his homeland, James, 52, is trying to settle back into the life he left 10 years ago when he packed his suitcases and headed for South Africa on a six-month visitor’s visa. He overstayed his visa and, despite lacking permission to stay, built a life as a car mechanic in the country's Eastern Cape Province. He was coping until he was attacked by anti-immigrant protesters in May, leaving him with a head wound, he told The Associated Press. The attack on James came in the midst of a sharp rise in anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa in recent months, when there have been marches calling for immigrants in the country illegally to leave and reports of violence against some foreign nationals. Hundreds of migrants from Nigeria and several other African countries have been repatriated from South Africa recently by their governments, citing threats of violence aga
2 months agoNigerians repatriated from South Africa following a series of anti-migrant marches and reported attacks on some foreign nationals are struggling to settle into a new life back home
2 months agoNigerians repatriated from South Africa following a series of anti-migrant marches and reported attacks on some foreign nationals are struggling to settle into a new life back home
2 months agoWhen the flight carrying hundreds of Nigerians fleeing South Africa landed in Lagos last week, the first feeling of passenger Iniebong James was one of relief. Then came worry.
2 months ago
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