The Federal Government of Nigeria has concluded plans to evacuate another batch of Nigerian citizens stranded in South Africa in the wake of xenophobic attacks in the country.
Sources indicate that the evacuation of approximately 200 Nigerians is scheduled to take place this week.
Lawmakers, including Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, have commended Air Peace for its role in transporting the stranded citizens during the previous evacuation exercise.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed the new evacuation plan but could not provide a specific date for the operation.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Citizens in South Africa, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, said another evacuation is underway.
“So far, we have not received any report of our nationals being attacked. However, there has been some looting of shops across the country,” he said.
“Even as at 8 p.m. last night (Tuesday), we got confirmation that locals were breaking into foreign nationals’ shops and supermarkets, looting the goods.
“One person — a local — was shot and I think he died. He was killed in the process, but it has not been confirmed where the shot came from,” Onyekwelu added.