Eight Nigerians have so far indicated interest in returning
home due to xenophobic attacks, Uche Ajulu-Okeke,
Nigeria’s consul-general in South Africa revealed on
Wednesday.
Okeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on phone
from Johannesburg, South Africa, that the Nigerian mission
was already working with them to facilitate their journey
back home.
“I am working with eight Nigerians who have indicated
interest to go home. They are presently at the deportation
holding facility at Limbola, South Africa,” she said.
The consul-general said the mission held a meeting with
leaders of the Nigerian Union in the nine provinces of South
Africa.
“The meeting was successful. Victims of the attacks came
with wounds, including machete and gunshot wounds.
“They narrated how they were attacked and brought
pictures. We took note of all that. The mission asked all the
provincial chairmen of the union to collate all information
reported.’’
Okeke said the report would be sent to the federal
government for further action, adding that the mission and
the union worked out a vigilance defence mechanism to
protect Nigerians.
She also said the attacks had reduced and that Nigerians
were asked to be vigilant in spite of the current
development.
Ikechukwu Anyene, president of the Nigerian Union in South
Africa, also told NAN that the meeting with the mission was
used to assess the situation and take stock of losses
suffered by Nigerians.
“It was a successful meeting. Victims of the attack came
and gave firsthand account of their experiences,” Anyene
said.
“We asked them to collate their losses and these will be sent
to the government for further action.”
Xenophobic attacks in South Africa has been going on for
more than a week, but the first Nigerian casualty came on
April 17, when the mechanic workshop of a Nigerian was
“completely destroyed” in Johannesburg.



www.thecable.ng/8-wounded-nigerians-coming-home-safrica