‘South Africans kill us daily’ — Akwa Ibom indigenes seek Gov Eno’s intervention

Akwa Ibom indigenes and other Nigerians still stranded in South Africa have appealed to Governor Umo Eno and the Federal Government to come to their aid.

The Nigerians said the attacks, which resulted in the deaths of several foreigners and the destruction of businesses and property, had not abated despite assurances by the South African government.

Speaking in separate telephone interviews on Thursday, some of the stranded Nigerians said the attacks were deeply rooted and could not be expected to disappear overnight.

Bassey Clinton Akpan, an indigene of Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, said South Africans had continued to openly express hostility towards foreigners, particularly Nigerians.

Akpan alleged that Nigerians had been warned of another planned mass march against foreigners, during which businesses owned by non-South Africans could be shut down and foreigners forced out of the country.

He said many Nigerians were now milling around the Nigerian Consulate daily, hoping to receive information about another evacuation exercise.

“Only five planes were sent by the Federal Government, and they were not enough to evacuate everybody. 

“Many of us sold our properties, moved out of our apartments and are now stranded, without food or means of livelihood,” Akpan said.

He explained that he personally missed the evacuation flights because he was sitting for his final examinations at a South African college, adding that he expected to complete his studies in October 2026.

Akpan said he would have no reason to remain in South Africa after his examinations, given what he described as the persistent fear among Nigerians living there.

Another Akwa Ibom indigene, Unyime Festus, said repeated appeals to the Federal Government for another evacuation exercise had yielded no positive response.

“For me, raising 1,000 rand for a ticket back home is a herculean task. 

“A compatriot was killed last week after he allegedly tried to defend himself inside his apartment. His body was left on the street for three days before health officials eventually removed it,” he alleged.

Festus urged Governor Eno not to abandon those still stranded in the country.

He said the Nigerians were particularly worried about a planned protest against foreigners reportedly scheduled for September 30, 2026, fearing that remaining in the country until then could expose them to further attacks.

According to him, the number of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa had reduced considerably as several foreign governments continued to evacuate their citizens.

Festus also alleged that some Nigerians had suffered mistreatment in health facilities because of their status as foreigners, claiming, without providing evidence, that some medical personnel had deliberately administered harmful substances to foreign patients.