NEWS
Abia State Govt Steps Up Efforts to Rescue, Reintegrate Abians Affected by Xenophobic Attack in South Africa
The Abia State Government has intensified efforts to protect, facilitate the safe return and support the reintegration of indigenes of the state affected by xenophobic violence/attack and other difficult circumstances in South Africa.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday, August 31, 2026, while briefing newsmen at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu explained that the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection was coordinating the protection, voluntary repatriation and reintegration of Abians who have been affected by xenophobic attacks and related challenges in South Africa.
According to the Commissioner, the intervention is aimed at ensuring that affected Abians are identified, verified and provided with the necessary assistance to return safely to Nigeria and ultimately reunite with their families and communities in Abia State.
He disclosed that the ministry was already processing an additional batch of returnees as part of the state’s continuing response to the plight of Abians stranded or facing difficult circumstances in South Africa.
Beyond the repatriation process, the ministry is also maintaining contact with leaders of the Abia community in South Africa to identify and verify other Abians who may be stranded or in need of government intervention.
The initiative underscores the state government’s commitment to extending its social protection programmes beyond those within the state, particularly to Abians whose circumstances abroad have left them vulnerable and in need of assistance.
Prince Kanu assured that the government would continue to work through the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection to reach more affected persons and facilitate their safe return.
“The state government will not relent in providing assistance to our less fortunate brothers and sisters who are facing difficult circumstances in South Africa.
“Through the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, we will continue to identify such Abians and make efforts to ensure that they return safely to the country and to their home state,” Pri
nce Kanu assured.