DIPLOMATIC ROW: NIGERIA Hit Back At South Africa Last Night…As 28 South Africans Were Refused Entry Into Nigeria

Nigerian immigration officials Monday night refused 28 South African nationals entry into Nigeria in what appeared to be a retaliatory move following the deportation of 125 Nigerian passengers from South Africa, who had arrived onboard an Arik Air flight last the weekend.

The South African immigration officials had accused the deported Nigerian passengers of being in possession of fake yellow fever certificates. But the federal government of Nigeria through the foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru Monday issued the South African Government a warning to either behave or face sanctions from Nigeria.

The South African government has however not issued any formal communication concerning the incident.

The barred South African nationals had arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport onboard a South African Airways flight which originated from Johannesburg and touched down at about 9.30 pm

A senior immigration official at the international airport confirmed the development to THEWILL Tuesday morning, saying, the South African passengers have been deported.

A source said: “The Federal Government decided to deny these 28 South Africans entry because of invalid documents and relevant health certificate clearance. “We are also deporting them back to South Africa. The Presidency has been notified of this action.

“We will no longer overlook certain procedures which we have condoned in the spirit of African brotherhood.”

Earlier yesterday, Nigeria had threatened to retaliate South Africa’s maltreatment of Nigerians. Interior Minister Albo Moro said: “I want to assure you on one thing. The Federal Government has the capacity to reciprocate appropriately if it is found that (the deportation) was not done in good faith.”

He added: “At the moment, Nigeria maintains a very cordial diplomatic relations with South Africa and I can assure you that we will react appropriately if it is found that South Africa has taken unfriendly action against Nigeria.

Moro spoke to reporters at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Also yesterday, the Federal Government summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Mambolo.