Story perspectives

Nigeria Seeks Compensation for Abandoned Assets After Mass Evacuation

7/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Nigeria will claim compensation for businesses and property abandoned by repatriated citizens.
Acting High Commissioner Alexander Ajayi announced the claim after meeting South Africa’s Deputy Finance Minister to document assets.
Nigeria evacuated over 600 citizens and cut diplomatic staff in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
South African police recorded about 900 immigration arrests and deployed the army in parts of Johannesburg and Durban.

History

Historical Context

When apartheid ended in 1994, South Africa opened its borders, drawing many Nigerian workers and prompting police immigration task forces. The 2008 xenophobic riots, which left over 60 dead and displaced more than 100,000 migrants, show how historic flows fuel tension. In 2015, further anti-immigrant attacks heightened scrutiny of migration policies. Ajayi’s compensation claim revives these long-standing disputes.

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Story summary

Nigeria will claim compensation for businesses and property abandoned by repatriated citizens.
Acting High Commissioner Alexander Ajayi announced the claim after meeting South Africa’s Deputy Finance Minister to document assets.
Nigeria evacuated over 600 citizens and cut diplomatic staff in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
South African police recorded about 900 immigration arrests and deployed the army in parts of Johannesburg and Durban.

1 / 2