Nigeria has announced it will seek compensation from South Africa for property left behind by its citizens who fled during recent anti‑migrant protests. Foreign Minister Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the issue will be discussed at the highest diplomatic level.
Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, told local television that the Nigerian embassy is documenting businesses, cars and other assets abandoned by Nigerian residents during the unrest.
A trader named Oghodero Erejor Wilson, 32, explains he had run a clothing outlet in Centurion for nearly a decade but fled because he feared for his safety. Wilson estimates his unsold goods were worth more than 16,000 rand (about $975). He says his residence documents expired in 2021 and he was unable to renew them.
He says he is largely unconvinced that South Africa will pay damages, but is willing to document his losses to support a future claim.
The South African authorities maintain that many who were repatriated were in the country illegally and had no right to stay, a claim contested by the Nigerian side. Over 600 Nigerians have been repatriated in recent weeks, while roughly 25,000 other African nationals have departed following a wave of protests in October demanding a crackdown on illegal migration.
South Africa police arrested about 900 people, largely on immigration‑related charges and allegations of looting. The BBC has requested a comment from the South African government on Nigeria’s compensation demand.
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