Dabiri-Erewa Condemns Treatment Of Nigerians In South Africa, Says ’Their Only Crime Was Their Skin Colour’

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, condemned the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa after the first batch of 258 evacuees arrived in Lagos. She described their experiences as "terrible, disappointing and painful."

"Those 258 that came in, none of them committed any crime. The only crime they committed was the colour of their skin; they are black migrants in South Africa," Dabiri-Erewa said. She criticized the South African government for looking the other way when discrimination occurs. Returnees reported being treated like slaves, with families isolated and children separated. Dabiri-Erewa stated that diplomatic engagement continues, with Nigeria's foreign minister and presidents expected to discuss next steps. Additional evacuation batches are planned in coming days.