South Daily
Related Articles
The South African Government have been accused of cancelling Visas already issued to evacuating Nigerians, introducing new Immigration rules to prevent the Nigerian Government from evacuating Nigerians who are willing to leave the country.
This was disclosed by the chairman, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and returnees who arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport 9:45pm yesterday.
Abike who said the flight was delayed for 15hours said the South African authorities brought new immigration rules before the affected Nigerians could be allowed to board the aircraft.
It was also observed that the South African authorities went further to cancel visas that were issued to the returning Nigerians.
A picture on Facebook showed a Nigerian passport with a cancelled South African visa as of September 10.
The number of Nigerians that made it back to Nigeria drastically reduced following moves by the South African government to frustrate the evacuation efforts.
Only about 187 adults and children were successfully evacuated on Wednesday as against the 320 Nigerians expected back home.
READ : NEMA flags off stakeholders meeting on Climate Change
One of the returnees, Uche Victor, told Newsmen at the airport that he left his wife who he said was a Cameronian and a young daughter behind.
He said, “I’m bleeding because I left my wife and baby but I have to come back because my mother cries for me to return. If something happens to me she will suffer.
“I left my business, I came back with nothing. South Africans believe all Nigerians are drug pushers, but I don’t know the colour of any drug.”
READ : Buhari hold first FEC meeting, charges ministers on selfless service.
Victor, who explained that he left Nigeria for South Africa in 2007, explained that the attacks were anger against the government.
“They are only venting their anger on foreigners. They started with black and will move to whites,” he said.
According to him, the flight would have returned earlier but the South African government made it difficult.
“The didn’t want us to go but for Nigeria’s consulate,” he added.
Another returnee from Abia State, who gave his name as Onuoha, said a lot of Nigerians were still stranded as they could not return with their properties.
Aliu Saheed, from Osun State, said his shop was burgled and he came back home empty-handed.
READ: NDLEA uncovers, destroys 2 hectares of cannabis farms in Edo
“But I’m happy to be home, I’m not going back again,” he said.
Earlier at airport, the chairman, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri- Erewa said the Federal Government is giving N40,000 worth of airtime to last them for two months as well as stipend of N10,000 for transport.
She also said there were plans for the Bank of Industry to provide some money for the returnees to start small businesses.
Meanwhile, the Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, Mrs Toyin Olajide, said the evacuation would cost the airline about N300m.
Olajide said the cost would include payment of passenger service charge, aeronautical and other charges.
