Xenophobic Attacks Force Nigerian Fathers To Leave Children Behind In South Africa

Some Nigerians forced to leave South Africa following recurring xenophobic attacks have reportedly been unable to return home with their children born to South African mothers, a Nigerian resident in Johannesburg has claimed.

Francis Akpan, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State who lives in Johannesburg, said the situation has become one of the most painful consequences of the repeated attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.

Speaking in a telephone interview with DAILY POST, Akpan said he had not personally been affected by the attacks but would have returned to Nigeria if he had the financial means, despite not completing his education.

According to him, many Nigerian fathers have been forced to leave their children behind when returning home.

“The saddest part of this forced return to Nigeria is that many of our men leave their children behind. In most cases, they lack the financial resources to take them along, while in other instances, the children’s mothers refuse to allow them to leave South Africa with their fathers,” he said.

Akpan cited the case of a Nigerian from Rivers State, identified as Samuel Finecountry, who reportedly returned to Nigeria without any of his five children.

He also mentioned another Nigerian from Cross River State, who, according to him, plans to relocate to Nigeria in August 2026 while leaving behind his three children.

Referring to South African international footballer Ime Okon, Akpan noted that the player’s late father was from Akwa Ibom State.

According to him, Okon has previously stated that he considers himself solely South African because he was born and raised there and has never visited Nigeria.

Akpan argued that many children born to Nigerian fathers in South Africa have little connection to Nigeria and are therefore unlikely to relocate to the country independently.

He added that the number of such children has continued to increase over the years.

Speaking on the current security situation, Akpan claimed that incidents of xenophobic attacks have reduced following pressure from the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), Ghana and other African countries.

He also alleged that the South African government had begun sending emissaries to some African nations to apologise, particularly after businesses owned by Nigerians and other foreign nationals closed or relocated, affecting the country’s economy.

However, DAILY POST noted that it could not independently verify Akpan’s claim regarding the alleged diplomatic outreach by the South African government.