The Federal Government has evacuated 266 more Nigerians from South Africa amid ongoing anti-migrant protests in the country.
One of the returnees, Elajile Chukwu, said the fatal stabbing of a close friend during recent “go back home” protests influenced his decision to return to Nigeria.
Speaking to Arise TV, Chukwu recalled, “We had a shop there. They started looting. Before I knew it, they stabbed one of my friends who was close to me. The man died right in my presence. In 2008, they shot another friend of mine. We were sitting and talking, and out of nowhere, we heard a gunshot. That man died too.”
Chukwu said he had spent many years in South Africa but struggled to obtain legal residency despite meeting the requirements. He added that many other Nigerians faced similar difficulties and said he believed foreigners were not welcomed by some South Africans.
Expressing relief at his return, Chukwu said he was happy to be back in Nigeria.
