The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) has appealed to the Federal Government, state governments and well-meaning Nigerians to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to Nigerians stranded in South Africa while awaiting voluntary repatriation.

In a statement, NICASA President, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, said that many affected Nigerians travelled from distant provinces after responding to the Federal Government’s evacuation programme, only to face prolonged delays on scheduled return flights.

According to him, the situation has left hundreds of Nigerians, including women and children, without adequate shelter, food, transportation and other basic necessities.

Onyekwelu noted that many prospective evacuees exhausted their limited resources while travelling to register and be screened, believing arrangements for their departure had been finalised.

He said, “Hundreds of Nigerians who responded to the Federal Government’s evacuation programme have endured untold hardship following delays in the scheduled repatriation flights. Many of these citizens travelled from distant provinces across South Africa after being instructed to report for registration and screening.

“Today, numerous families, including women and children, are stranded without shelter, food, transportation or financial means to sustain themselves.”

The NICASA president described the plight of the stranded nationals as increasingly distressing, noting that some have been forced to sleep in difficult conditions while awaiting further information on their return to Nigeria.

He added that several of those affected had spent all available funds after undertaking long journeys in good faith, expecting that the evacuation process would proceed as planned.

Onyekwelu called for immediate intervention to alleviate the suffering of the stranded Nigerians and ensure that they are safely and promptly returned home.

“Of grave concern are reports from affected citizens alleging humiliation, insensitive treatment, and poor communication from certain officials during the registration and screening exercise. Nigerians who faithfully responded to official directives deserved empathy, dignity, and reassurance during this difficult period rather than experiences that have compounded their suffering.

“NICASA regrets that throughout this exercise, the Nigerian community in South Africa has not felt adequately represented, informed, or supported by the current Acting High Commissioner – Amb Alexandra Ajayi. Greater engagement with community leadership structures and more effective coordination would have significantly reduced the confusion, anxiety, and hardship our citizens are currently experiencing.

“We therefore respectfully but firmly appeal to all concerned authorities to act swiftly and compassionately to lift our nationals out of their present misery and restore hope, dignity, and confidence in the protection of Nigerians abroad.”

While appealing for timely evacuation of the people, Onyekwelu called on “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deploy emergency resources and establish a humanitarian support mechanism for stranded Nigerians pending their departure.

“The Senate and House of Representatives to exercise urgent oversight and ensure that the welfare and dignity of affected Nigerians are protected throughout this process.

Relevant government agencies to urgently facilitate the remaining four evacuation flights so that all registered citizens can be safely returned home without further delay.

“The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa is to improve communication, provide temporary welfare support, and engage constructively with community leadership structures to address the immediate needs of affected citizens.

“Our citizens are not merely statistics. They are fathers, mothers, children, students, workers, and entrepreneurs who have found themselves in desperate circumstances. Their cries for help must not go unanswered.

“NICASA remains committed to supporting the Federal Government and all relevant stakeholders in ensuring the successful completion of this voluntary repatriation programme. However, the current suffering of stranded Nigerians demands urgent attention and decisive action.” (The Nation)

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