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…Enikanolaiye says rescue mission reflects Tinubu’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad

By Gloria Ikibah

The first batch of 258 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks has arrived safely in the country, with the Federal Government describing the operation as a clear demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians wherever they reside.

The returnees landed at the International Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday morning aboard a special Air Peace flight arranged and fully funded by the Federal Government.

The evacuees, who were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria led by Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Temitope Alexander Ajayi, were received on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.

Addressing the returnees, Enikanolaiye conveyed President Tinubu’s message of solidarity and reassurance, stressing that the safety and dignity of Nigerians abroad remain a top priority for the administration.

He said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria will not stand idly by while our citizens are subjected to attacks and harassment, wherever they may be in the world, hence the swift and necessary action to bring our people home.”

The minister noted that the evacuation exercise was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and several government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Ministry of Aviation, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Immigration Service and security agencies.

According to the ministry, the operation underscores the government’s determination to protect Nigerians from violence, discrimination and intimidation abroad.

The statement stressed that the evacuation should not be interpreted as a retreat but rather as a proactive intervention aimed at safeguarding citizens caught in a difficult situation.

“No Nigerian should live in fear simply because of their nationality. The evacuation does not signal defeat; it underscores the proactive and citizen-centred foreign policy of the Tinubu administration,” he added.

Enikanolaiye also commended the Nigerian Mission in Pretoria for its role in ensuring the successful evacuation of the affected citizens.

The minister disclosed that Nigeria remains in active diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to address the situation and ensure the safety of Nigerians still residing in the country.

“I commend the excellent coordination of the process by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria and urge all Nigerians in South Africa to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and to report any threats to the Nigerian Mission.

“The Federal Government remains fully engaged with the South African authorities at the highest levels to ensure the protection of Nigerian nationals and to address the root causes of these unfortunate incidents”, he stated.

The returnees are currently undergoing documentation, profiling and medical screening, after which they will receive temporary accommodation and other forms of assistance before being reunited with their families.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said additional evacuation flights are expected in the coming days as efforts continue to bring home Nigerians affected by the attacks.

The ministry also appealed for calm while diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis are intensified.

The latest evacuation follows renewed concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have periodically faced attacks, harassment and threats in recent years.

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The United States government has revoked more than 600 visas issued to foreign nationals linked to alleged birth tourism schemes, in a major enforcement action targeting organised networks accused of exploiting the country’s immigration and citizenship system.

The move was announced on Tuesday by the United States Department of State, which said the decision forms part of a broader effort to curb illegal birth tourism activities under the administration of President Donald Trump.

Crackdown on Alleged Visa Fraud Networks

According to the State Department, birth tourism involves foreign nationals entering the United States on visitor visas primarily for the purpose of giving birth, so their children automatically acquire U.S. citizenship under the country’s birthright citizenship laws.

Officials said this practice violates visa regulations, which require applicants to state their true travel intentions when applying for entry into the country.

The department explained that investigations uncovered coordinated networks that allegedly assisted applicants in obtaining visas under false pretences, often by concealing their real intention to give birth in the United States.

Visas Revoked Across Multiple Regions

As part of the enforcement action, authorities confirmed that more than 100 visas were revoked in West Africa, over 400 in Europe, and at least 100 in North Africa.

In West Africa, U.S. embassy officials reportedly uncovered an organised group involving more than 100 foreign nationals who allegedly used falsified documents and visa intermediaries to secure entry into the United States.

Following the discovery, the visas were cancelled and the network dismantled in cooperation with local authorities, who are also assisting in tracking related cases.

European and North African Networks Targeted

In Europe, investigators reportedly identified at least six companies linked to more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases recorded since 2024.

These firms were accused of coaching applicants on how to respond during visa interviews, arranging travel logistics, and coordinating hospital plans for childbirth once they arrived in the United States.

U.S. authorities said the visas associated with these cases have now been withdrawn, while those involved in organising the scheme have been permanently barred from entering the country.

In North Africa, more than 100 additional visas were revoked from individuals suspected of travelling primarily for childbirth-related purposes to secure U.S. citizenship for their children.

The State Department said consular officers worked in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and used advanced data analysis tools to detect patterns of abuse and identify coordinated visa fraud operations.

Officials reiterated that obtaining a U.S. visa remains a privilege rather than a right, stressing that applicants must comply fully with immigration rules and disclose accurate information during the application process.

The department added that investigations are ongoing in multiple regions as part of sustained efforts to dismantle birth tourism networks and prevent further abuse of the visa system.

Authorities also warned that individuals found guilty of violating visa regulations could face permanent bans from entering the United States in the future.

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Presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has decried the worsening state of insecurity and governance in Nigeria, lamenting that criminal groups have become so emboldened that they now impose taxes on citizens in some parts of the country.

Duke accused Nigeria’s political leadership of failing to address critical national challenges over the years, arguing that poor governance has created an environment where bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements operate with alarming influence.Politics

The former Cross River State governor made the remarks in Abuja during the presentation of Certificates of Return and party flags to candidates of the PRP ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the event, Duke painted a grim picture of the country’s security situation, stating that many communities have been left vulnerable as criminal groups increasingly exert control over local populations.

According to him, the situation has deteriorated to the point where kidnappers and armed gangs collect levies from residents while government authorities struggle to provide effective solutions.

“Our land has become so desolate that bandits, gangsters and kidnappers collect taxes while the government collects excuses,” he said.

The PRP flagbearer cited figures he attributed to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, claiming that Nigerians paid approximately ₦2 trillion in ransom to kidnappers in 2025 alone.

He argued that the amount represents a significant drain on the nation’s resources and reflects the scale of the insecurity challenge confronting the country.

Duke blamed the development on years of leadership failures, insisting that many of Nigeria’s current problems could have been avoided if public officials had consistently prioritised the national interest over political expediency.

“All this is because our leaders failed to do what was right when it was necessary to do so,” he said. “The best politics has always been about doing the right thing, not merely doing what is convenient.”

Promises Safer Communities and Better Education

Outlining his vision for the country, Duke pledged to build a Nigeria where citizens can live and work without fear of violence or abduction.

He said his administration would focus on restoring security, reviving agriculture and improving access to quality education.

According to him, farmers should be able to cultivate their land and return home safely, while children deserve access to conducive learning environments equipped with basic educational facilities.

He also emphasised the need to create opportunities for young Nigerians through policies that encourage economic growth, employment and social development.

‘Time for Ordinary Nigerians to Take Power’

Duke further argued that Nigeria’s traditional political elite have had ample opportunities to lead the country but have failed to deliver the desired transformation.

He said the PRP’s mission is to place power in the hands of ordinary Nigerians, including market women, farmers, artisans, workers and unemployed graduates who bear the brunt of the country’s economic and social challenges.

“The political elite have had their turn. Now it is the turn of the common man, the true Nigerian, the market woman, the farmer and the unemployed graduate,” he declared.

Describing himself as a champion of ordinary citizens, Duke called on Nigerians to unite behind what he termed a movement for national renewal.

While acknowledging that the political battle ahead would be difficult, he expressed confidence that determined citizens could reclaim the country from leaders he accused of prioritising personal interests over public welfare.

“This struggle will not be easy because those benefiting from the current system will resist change. But our resolve is stronger, and our cause is just,” he said.

The remarks come as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with opposition figures increasingly focusing on issues of insecurity, economic hardship and governance as key campaign themes.