‘I don’t want to lose my life’ — says Nigerian as he leaves South Africa over xenophobic attacks

Hundreds of Nigerians on Wednesday gathered at the Nigeria consulate in South Africa where buses moved them in batches to the OR Tambo airport.

This development follows a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari to evacuate Nigerians in South Africa.

The president gave this order after receiving the report of the special envoy evaluating xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Heidi Giokos, a reporter with eNCA, a South African based TV, who tweeted from the scene, said more Nigerian families were arriving and the queue getting longer.

Some Nigerians in the queue at the airport

More families arrive. Queue gets longer and longer. #XenophobiaSouthAfrica #Nigerians pic.twitter.com/3gIz2hk8Qt

— Heidi Giokos (@HeidiGiokos) September 11, 2019

At the airport, a Nigerian whose name was not mentioned, said South Africa has become hostile and that he is returning home because he values his life.

A Nigerian who says he is going back home. He says SA is so hostile at the moment and even if it settles down he doesn’t think he will come back. His family is waiting for him back home. #XenophobicAttacks #Nigerians #eNCA pic.twitter.com/qro0mzmYoG

— Heidi Giokos (@HeidiGiokos) September 11, 2019

“I decided to leave because I value my life more than anything else. Here is very hostile at the moment, it’s not safe for me,” he said.

“I lost a lot of things, I don’t want to lose my life, I have to leave.”

A mother of three who also spoke with the reporter said she is leaving to ensure the safety of her children, adding that she had sleeping with one eye open.

We just spoke a to a lady with 3 children all seem to be very young. She says she is leaving to ensure the safety of her children. She says she was sleeping with one eye open. #XenophobicAttacks #Nigerians

— Heidi Giokos (@HeidiGiokos) September 11, 2019

On Monday, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), said 640 Nigerians have indicated interest to return home from South Africa.

Nigerians and other African nationals were affected in the latest xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

In protest, Nigeria boycotted the World Economic Forum (WEF) that was held in the country.