The Federal Government has commenced the screening of more than 1,000 Nigerians in South Africa ahead of their planned repatriation following a recent surge in xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.

According to Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the screening exercise began on Thursday and is being conducted by officials from both countries, alongside South African immigration and security authorities.

Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria disclosed that waivers had been secured from South African authorities to allow Nigerians with immigration-related offences to return home through the repatriation programme instead of facing detention.

The screening process is expected to conclude on Saturday, after which the final number of eligible returnees and flight arrangements will be determined.

The development comes weeks after Ghana repatriated nearly 300 of its citizens from South Africa as part of a broader effort to evacuate foreign nationals affected by the renewed wave of anti-immigrant violence.

Nigerians, Ghanaians and Mozambicans have been among the most affected groups in the attacks, which reportedly claimed the lives of at least two Nigerians. The unrest intensified after a South African group issued a June 30 ultimatum demanding the expulsion of undocumented migrants from the country.