Nigeria to Seek Compensation from South Africa for Properties Left by Citizens Repatriated After Protests

Nigeria will seek compensation from South Africa for properties and businesses abandoned by its citizens who left after recent protests targeting undocumented migrants, @BBCWorld reported. Foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the issue would be discussed between the two governments at the highest levels.

Acting High Commissioner to South Africa Alexander Ajayi said on local television Tuesday that officials had started documenting businesses and properties left behind by Nigerians.

More than 600 Nigerians have already been repatriated in recent weeks, with hundreds still waiting to depart. South African authorities maintain that those flown home were in the country illegally, a claim Nigeria disputes. About 25,000 nationals of other African countries have also left South Africa following the protests.

Anti-migrant groups organized marches attended by thousands of people on Tuesday. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, though isolated incidents of violence against foreigners occurred. South African police reported about 900 arrests, mostly for immigration-related offences and looting.

Oghodero Erejor Wilson, 32, who ran a clothing business in Centurion in Gauteng province for several years, closed his shop and fled to stay near the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria. He estimates goods left in the shop are worth more than 16,000 rand. Wilson said his residency documents expired in 2021 and he had been unable to renew them.

He is scheduled to leave on the next repatriation flight to Nigeria on Friday. Nigeria's acting high commissioner asked those who had left to document businesses, cars and other movable and immovable properties. Ebienfa said all claims would be verified before any formal request.