Hundreds of Nigerians awaiting evacuation from South Africa are facing hunger, homelessness and worsening hardship following delays in the second batch of repatriation flights arranged by the Federal Government.
Many of the affected Nigerians, including women, children and the elderly, have reportedly exhausted their savings after travelling from different provinces for registration and screening, only to be left stranded without adequate food, shelter or transportation.
The President of the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, disclosed this on Friday, urging the Federal Government to expedite the evacuation process and provide emergency humanitarian assistance to those awaiting their return to Nigeria.
According to him, some of the stranded Nigerians have been forced to sleep in harsh conditions amid uncertainty over when the next evacuation flights will depart.
“The situation has become increasingly distressing as some of our nationals have been left sleeping in difficult conditions, uncertain of when they will return home,” Onyekwelu said.
“Several have exhausted their limited resources after travelling long distances in good faith, believing arrangements had been adequately concluded for their departure.”
He said hundreds of Nigerians who responded to the government’s evacuation programme had endured severe hardship due to the delays.
“Many of these citizens travelled from distant provinces across South Africa after being instructed to report for registration and screening. Today, numerous families, including women and children, are stranded without shelter, food, transportation or the financial means to sustain themselves,” Onyekwelu added.
He also raised concerns over allegations of poor treatment and inadequate communication during the registration and screening process.
“Of grave concern are reports from affected citizens alleging humiliation, insensitive treatment and poor communication from certain officials during the registration and screening exercise,” he said.
He maintained that Nigerians who complied with official directives deserved empathy and support rather than experiences that worsened their ordeal.
The NICASA president called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deploy emergency relief and establish a humanitarian support mechanism for stranded Nigerians pending their departure.
He also urged relevant government agencies to facilitate the remaining evacuation flights to ensure all registered Nigerians are returned home without further delay.
“Our citizens are not merely statistics. They are fathers, mothers, children, students, workers and entrepreneurs who have found themselves in desperate circumstances. Their cries for help must not go unanswered,” he said.
