Abia Gives N1 Million Each To Victims Of South African Xenophobic Attacks

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Following in the footsteps of Imo and Delta state Governments, the Abia State Government, at the weekend, announced the approval of N1 million for each of the State’s 31  South African-returnees.

The Nigerian authorities had last month rounded off the repatriation of no fewer than 1,400 of its citizens, displaced by months of intense and sustained violent xenophobic attacks and killings unleashed on African immigrants by South African youths

The Abia State Government had,  also, strongly condemned the killing of its citizen, Chika Ibe, who was seen in a viral video being suffocated to death by South African Police officers on July 23, 2026.

A statement signed by the Governor’s spokesperson, Ukaoha Njoku Ukaoha, on Saturday, informed that each of the verified returnees will receive the cash to assist them in the process of reintegrating themselves into the society.

According to Ukaoha, a verification exercise to determine the needs and individual circumstances of returnees is underway.

“The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has approved the immediate disbursement of N1,000,000.(One Million Naira) each for the 31 verified returnees of Abia state extraction who recently returned from South Africa.

“The approval is for immediate relief as an interim support measure ,and to reassure the returnees that the Abia State Government has not abandoned them in their moment of need”, Ukaoha stated.

According to the statement, a comprehensive profiling of each returnee is ongoing with a view to assessing their individual circumstances and socio-economic realities.

“This is to enable Government design appropriate interventions for sustainable reintegration and social protection coverage tailored towards their specific needs.

“The gesture underscores Governor Otti’s compassion and unwavering commitment to the welfare of vulnerable persons in communities across Abia state ,and beyond.

“It also reflects Government’s resolve to ensure that every Abian, regardless of circumstance,is given an opportunity to recover , rebuild and contribute meaningfully to the society” the statement added.

The Imo and Delta  authorities had earlier approved N1 million and N 2 million respectively for each returnee from their states for the same purpose of assisting them in reintegrating themselves into the society.