The Federal Government has commenced plans to repatriate more than 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa following growing concerns over rising anti-immigrant sentiments and renewed xenophobic tensions in the southern African nation.

The PUNCH reported that the development was disclosed on Friday by the spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, after the commencement of screening exercises on Thursday for Nigerians willing to return home under a voluntary repatriation programme.

Foreign nationals living in South Africa, including Nigerians, have faced increasing hostility and attacks in recent weeks as some South Africans continue to blame immigrants for rising unemployment, crime and mounting pressure on public services.

According to the Federal Government, the number of Nigerians expected to participate in the repatriation exercise is projected to exceed 1,000, although the final figure has yet to be determined.

Ebienfa confirmed that screening had already begun for Nigerians interested in returning to the country through the voluntary repatriation arrangement.

“Total figure not out yet. We are expecting over 1,000 persons,” he said.

Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria also revealed that it had secured concessions from South African authorities aimed at easing the return of affected Nigerians, including individuals facing immigration-related challenges.

The diplomatic mission explained that engagements with South African authorities had resulted in an agreement that Nigerians facing immigration-related offences would be allowed to leave the country under the repatriation arrangement instead of being detained.

The High Commission stated that it had “negotiated waivers with host authorities” so that Nigerians with “immigration-related offences” would be permitted to depart on the eventual repatriation flights rather than face detention.

The repatriation move comes only days after Ghana issued a travel advisory warning its citizens against non-essential travel to South Africa due to renewed reports of xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants.

On June 1, Nairametrics reported that Ghana had urged its citizens to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel to South Africa as concerns grew over the safety of foreign nationals residing in the country.

Ghana has also commenced the evacuation of its citizens from South Africa. In the first phase of the exercise conducted last month, approximately 300 Ghanaian nationals were repatriated as part of a broader plan expected to return about 800 citizens to their home country.

The latest tensions were further escalated by reports of an ultimatum issued by a citizen-led group demanding the expulsion of undocumented migrants by June 30. The development has heightened fears of a repeat of previous outbreaks of anti-immigrant violence that resulted in dozens of deaths.

In response to the growing security concerns affecting Nigerians in South Africa, Nigeria has intensified diplomatic engagements with South African authorities.

On May 4, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner as part of a formal diplomatic response to mounting concerns over the safety, welfare and protection of Nigerians living in the country.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) also confirmed that at least two Nigerians had been killed in separate incidents linked to anti-foreigner violence in South Africa.

As attacks against foreign nationals increased, NIDCOM outlined four key demands to South African authorities aimed at addressing the safety and protection of Nigerians and other migrants in the country.