Nigeria to repatriate over 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa

Nigeria is planning to repatriate more than 1,000 of its nationals from South Africa as anti-immigrant tensions rise. Screening for the voluntary repatriation scheme started Thursday, according to foreign ministry spokesman Kimiebi Ebienfa. Nigeria's High Commission in Pretoria has negotiated waivers so that those with immigration-related offences can leave without detention. The move follows Ghana's recent repatriation of hundreds of its citizens and an ultimatum by a citizen-led group for illegal migrants to be expelled by June 30.