The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) has called for urgent intervention by the Federal Government to assist stranded Nigerians in South Africa.
The association urged the government to address the worsening humanitarian situation facing Nigerians awaiting repatriation from the country.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by NICASA’s National President, Frank Onyekwelu.
Onyekwelu said hundreds of Nigerians who responded to the government’s voluntary repatriation programme were facing severe hardship due to delays in the scheduled evacuation flights.
According to him, many of the affected Nigerians travelled from distant provinces across South Africa after being directed 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,” he said.
He noted that the situation had become increasingly difficult for many Nigerians, who had exhausted their limited resources in the hope of returning home promptly.
“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.
“Several have exhausted their limited resources after travelling long distances in good faith, believing that arrangements had been adequately concluded for their departure.”
Onyekwelu also alleged that some citizens experienced humiliation, insensitive treatment, and poor communication from certain officials during the registration and screening exercise.
According to him, Nigerians who faithfully complied with official directives deserved empathy, respect, and reassurance during this difficult period, rather than what he described as dishonourable and disrespectful treatment.
“We, therefore, call upon the Federal Government to intervene and expedite the completion of the repatriation programme, deploy emergency resources, and establish a humanitarian support mechanism for stranded Nigerians pending their departure.
“We also urge the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa to improve communication, provide temporary welfare support, and engage constructively with community leadership structures to address the immediate needs of affected citizens.
“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 appealed.
Onyekwelu reiterated NICASA’s commitment to supporting the government and relevant stakeholders in ensuring the successful completion of the voluntary repatriation programme.
He stressed that the plight of stranded Nigerians required urgent attention and decisive action.
“We appeal to all concerned authorities to act swiftly and compassionately to lift our nationals out of their present misery and restore hope, dignity, and confidence in the protection of Nigerians abroad,” he said.