by Lekan Olanrewaju
South Africa is reportedly set to deport 56 Nigerians.
The deportees have over-stayed their visas and applied for asylum based on the alleged ongoing “political crisis” in Nigeria.
It is unclear which of the nation’s political crises they based their requests on. Their applications were however, rejected.
According to The Nation, a source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “South Africa has informed us of a fresh deportation of 56 Nigerians. The affected persons will be brought to Nigeria either on Wednesday or Thursday.
“Our senior officers in the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria were made to be part of the process to ascertain that none of the deportees is a victim of any form of injustice.
“The South African Government said it is granting asylum to those from war-torn countries and Nigeria is not on the list.
“In line with our new rapprochement, we cannot force these Nigerians on South Africa. So, we are expecting the deportees soon.
“Deportation is a normal thing when immigrants are found to have either entered a country illegally or over-stayed their visas. Some are usually sent back each time they violate immigration laws or indulge in fraud. That is why you see Nigeria deporting illegal aliens like Nigeriens and Chadians.”
These claims come just two weeks after the face-off between Nigerian and South-African governments over the deportation of 125 Nigerians over fake yellow fever cards.
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