The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa has urged the federal government to urgently address the worsening humanitarian situation facing stranded Nigerians awaiting repatriation from South Africa.

NICASA’s president, Frank Onyekwelu, made the appeal in a statement on Friday. He said hundreds of Nigerians who responded to the government’s voluntary repatriation programme had faced hardship due to delays in the scheduled evacuation flights.

According to Mr Onyekwelu, many of the affected Nigerians travelled from distant provinces across South Africa after being directed to report for registration and screening.

“Today, numerous families, including women and children, are stranded without shelter, food, transportation or financial means to sustain themselves,” he said. “The situation has become increasingly distressing as some of our nationals have been left sleeping in difficult conditions, uncertain of when they will return home. Several have exhausted their limited resources after travelling long distances in good faith, believing that arrangements had been adequately concluded for their departure.”

He alleged that some citizens experienced humiliation, insensitive treatment and poor communication from certain officials during the registration and screening exercise.

According to Mr Onyekwelu, Nigerians who faithfully complied with official directives deserved empathy, respect and reassurance during the difficult period rather than dishonourable and disrespectful treatment.

“We, therefore, call upon the Federal Government to intervene and expedite the completion of the repatriation programme, to deploy emergency resources and establish a humanitarian support mechanism for stranded Nigerians pending their departure.

“The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa aims to improve communication, provide temporary welfare support, and engage constructively with community leadership structures to address the immediate needs of affected citizens.

“Our citizens are not merely statistics. They are fathers, mothers, children, students, workers, and entrepreneurs who have found themselves in desperate circumstances. Their cries for help must not go unanswered,” Mr Onyekwelu appealed.

Mr Onyekwelu reiterated NICASA’s commitment to supporting the government and relevant stakeholders in ensuring the successful completion of the voluntary repatriation programme. He stressed that the suffering of stranded Nigerians required urgent attention and decisive action.

“We appeal to all concerned authorities to act swiftly and compassionately, to lift our nationals out of their present misery and restore hope, dignity, and confidence in the protection of Nigerians abroad,” Mr Onyekwelu said.

(NAN)