Maduabuchukwu John Okeke, one of the Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, has alleged that some South African police officers routinely extort foreign nationals, even when they possess valid immigration documents.
Speaking to Channels Television on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, after returning to Nigeria, the Anambra State indigene rejected claims that Nigerians were responsible for taking jobs from South Africans.
“Even when your passport is valid, police will still collect money from you. They say Nigeria is corrupt, but in South Africa, I saw the real corruption. And they said Nigerians are taking their jobs; there is no job in South Africa,” Okeke said.
He argued that widespread unemployment in South Africa contradicts allegations that Nigerians are displacing local workers. According to Okeke, blaming foreign nationals for the country’s economic challenges does not reflect the reality he witnessed during his stay.
His comments come after the latest wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa prompted the evacuation of several Nigerians.
