At least 130 Nigerians seek repatriation from South Africa after protests

At least 130 Nigerian citizens in South Africa have asked to be flown home following protests targeting foreigners, Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.



The applicants are the first under a new Nigerian government-assisted repatriation scheme, the minister said on Sunday, amid fears that confrontations in South Africa could escalate.



Protesters held rallies in Pretoria and Johannesburg last week, demanding tougher action against illegal immigration, saying undocumented foreign nationals were putting pressure on jobs, security and public services. Migrant-rights groups say foreigners are often scapegoated for South Africa's economic problems.



Nigeria condemns the violence against its citizens in South Africa, including the deaths of two Nigerians allegedly assaulted by security officials, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Monday.