- APFFLON Hails FG’s Efforts, Condemns Xenophobic Attacks
Another batch of 268 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa over ongoing anti-migrant violence arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Friday aboard an Air Peace charter flight funded by the Federal Government.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the flight departed Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport at 5:36 a.m. and conveyed 268 returnees, alongside two officials and crew members.
She disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that the evacuation exercise should continue despite the expiration of the June 30 deadline issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa.
According to the minister, three earlier evacuation flights had returned nearly 600 Nigerians before the deadline, adding that the government would continue to evacuate citizens who voluntarily registered and completed the required screening.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated that protecting Nigerians abroad remains a priority of the Tinubu administration, describing it as a key pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The evacuation follows intensified anti-immigrant protests in South Africa, where demonstrators have blamed undocumented foreign nationals for unemployment and pressure on public services. The unrest has reportedly claimed at least four lives, prompting countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique to organise voluntary repatriation for their citizens.
The Federal Government has also indicated plans to engage South African authorities on compensation for businesses and properties abandoned by affected Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has commended the Federal Government for its swift evacuation of Nigerians affected by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigration protests in South Africa, describing the intervention as a strong demonstration of the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.
In a statement signed by its National President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, APFFLON praised the government’s prompt response, saying it had restored confidence among Nigerians and reaffirmed the state’s responsibility to safeguard the interests of its people wherever they may be.
Ogunojemite said the evacuation reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to the safety, welfare and protection of Nigerians, adding that the action had reassured citizens of the government’s readiness to act in times of crisis.
The APFFLON president also expressed deep concern over the recurring xenophobic attacks and hostility directed at fellow Africans in South Africa, warning that such incidents pose a significant threat to the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to him, the objectives of AfCFTA cannot be realised in an atmosphere where African citizens, traders, investors and legitimate businesses are exposed to intimidation, discrimination and violence.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area was established to foster economic integration, facilitate the free movement of goods and services, encourage investment and strengthen economic cooperation among African nations,” Ogunojemite said.
“Xenophobic attacks and anti-immigration protests run contrary to these objectives and threaten the confidence required for intra-African trade and investment to flourish.”
He called on African governments, the African Union, the AfCFTA Secretariat and regional economic organisations to unequivocally condemn the attacks and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Ogunojemite warned against treating the situation with leniency, stressing that weak responses or silence could embolden future attacks and undermine the vision of a united and economically prosperous Africa.
“All affected countries should not treat the situation with kid gloves, as silence or weak responses could embolden future attacks and undermine the vision of a united and prosperous Africa,” he said.
The APFFLON president also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts at strengthening Nigeria’s economy through improved infrastructure, stable electricity supply, modernisation of ports, lower cost of doing business, industrialisation and increased competitiveness of Nigerian products and services across African markets.
“The greatest response to external challenges is to build a resilient and competitive economy. Nigeria must concentrate on creating an enabling environment for businesses, manufacturers, exporters, freight forwarders and logistics operators to thrive. A stronger economy will position Nigeria to maximise the enormous opportunities presented by AfCFTA,” he stated.
Ogunojemite reaffirmed APFFLON’s commitment to supporting policies that promote seamless trade, efficient freight forwarding, logistics development and regional economic integration.
He further appealed to African leaders to uphold the principles of unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, insisting that they remain critical to the success of continental trade and sustainable economic development.
