Nigeria Repatriates Citizens Amid Rising Xenophobia

Nigeria has announced plans to repatriate 130 of its citizens from South Africa amid a new series of anti-immigration protests. This decision follows a meeting where Nigeria's foreign minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, expressed profound concern to South Africa's top representative over the heightened xenophobia.

The Nigerian government has emphasized that the repatriation process is voluntary. More Nigerian nationals are expected to join ahead of upcoming actions aimed at promoting their safety. South African officials have denounced the recent violence targeting foreign migrants and promised a crackdown on such xenophobic behaviors.

In a related development, South Africa's foreign minister, Ronald Lamola, engaged in a dialogue with his Nigerian counterpart to deliberate on the issues posed by irregular migration. Subsequently, Nigeria has requested a thorough investigation into the deaths of two Nigerians in separate incidents involving South African security forces, seeking full autopsy reports for families affected.

(With inputs from agencies.)