Nigeria is preparing to press South Africa for compensation after a wave of anti-migrant protests forced Nigerian nationals to flee, leaving behind businesses, homes and other property in the rush to escape.
Officials in Abuja say they are compiling detailed records of the losses suffered by citizens who have already returned to Nigeria or who remain in South Africa awaiting repatriation. More than 600 Nigerians have evacuated so far, with hundreds more expected to depart in the coming days. Nigeria also insists that some of those caught up in the unrest were legally resident in South Africa, challenging assertions that all repatriated Nigerians were undocumented.
The effort comes after weeks of demonstrations targeting illegal immigration, a period that prompted thousands of foreign nationals to leave South Africa amid mounting fears for their safety. Nigerian authorities say any compensation requests will be checked and substantiated, then pursued through diplomatic channels between the two governments.
