Many Nigerians expected to be heading home by now. Instead, they say they are sleeping without shelter and struggling to find food.
The situation has triggered concern among citizens waiting for evacuation from South Africa. Many of them claim they have exhausted their savings after preparing for a government-arranged return to Nigeria.
Now, stranded Nigerians in South Africa are calling for urgent intervention. They are asking the Federal Government to speed up the evacuation process before conditions become even worse.
The appeal was made public on Friday by the President of the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), Rev. Frank Onyekwelu. He said the delay in the planned evacuation exercise has left many people in distress.
According to him, several affected Nigerians travelled long distances after receiving information that arrangements for their departure were close to completion.
“Several have exhausted their limited resources after travelling long distances in good faith, believing arrangements had been adequately concluded for their departure. They are hungry and homeless,” he said.
Women, children, and elderly people have reportedly been hit hardest by the delay. Their savings have been depleted while they wait for updates on evacuation flights.
Meanwhile, frustration continues to grow among those affected. Some had already left temporary accommodation in preparation for their journey home. However, the postponement left many without a clear plan.
Furthermore, community leaders fear the situation could worsen if urgent action is not taken. Food supplies are becoming limited for some families. In addition, access to safe accommodation has become a major challenge.
Although authorities have continued discussions on evacuation efforts, many stranded citizens say they need immediate support.
Rev. Onyekwelu urged the Federal Government to act quickly and complete the evacuation process. Therefore, he called for stronger coordination to ensure affected Nigerians are not left abandoned.
Meanwhile, relatives in Nigeria continue to monitor developments closely. Families remain hopeful that their loved ones will soon return safely.
