187 Nigerians return, South Africa employs rules to stop others

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.

The flight arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport,
Lagos, at 9.43pm.

One of the returnees, Uche Victor, told journalists 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.”

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.

“They 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.

“But I’m happy to be home, I’m not going back again,” he
said.

S’A cancels visas issued to returning Nigerians

One of our correspondents learnt 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 Chairman, Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike
Dabiri-Erewa, said there was 15 hours delay before the flight left
South Africa.

She had earlier told journalists that the South African
authorities brought new immigration rules before the affected
Nigerians could be allowed to board the aircraft.

According to Dabiri-Erewa, 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.

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