LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — When the flight carrying hundreds of Nigerians fleeing South Africa landed in Lagos last week, the first feeling of passenger Iniebong James was one of relief. Then came worry. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Nearly two weeks after his return to his homeland, James, 52, is trying to settle back into the life he left 10 years ago when he packed his suitcases and headed for South Africa on a six-month visitor's visa. He overstayed his visa and, despite lacking permission to stay, built a life as a car mechanic in the country's Eastern Cape Province.
He was coping until he was attacked by anti-immigrant protesters in May, leaving him with a head wound, he told The Associated Press.
The attack on James came in the midst of a sharp rise in anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa in recent months, when there have been marches calling for immigrants in the country illegally to leave and reports of violence against some foreign nationals.
Hundreds of migrants from Nigeria and several other African countries have been repatriated from South Africa recently by their governments, citing threats of violence against them and a growing sense of tension.
This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.