The Delta State Government has approved a support package for 86 indigenes repatriated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, announcing a ₦2 million grant for each affected family and monthly stipends to aid their reintegration.
The intervention, unveiled on Friday at the Government House in Asaba, also includes free medical screening and trauma counselling for the returnees, whom the state described as victims of violence and displacement.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Chief of Staff, Johnson Erijo, said individual returnees would receive a monthly stipend of ₦200,000, while families would receive ₦300,000 from August 2026 until the end of the governor’s first tenure.
He said the package was designed to help the returnees rebuild their lives after losing homes, businesses and other means of livelihood during the attacks.
Erijo conveyed the governor’s sympathy to the victims, describing the xenophobic attacks as unacceptable and expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for facilitating their safe evacuation to Nigeria.
“No human being deserves to be beaten, displaced or forced to live in fear because of his nationality,” he said, adding that the state government remained committed to supporting the returnees as they begin life afresh.
He urged families and communities across Delta State to welcome the returnees with compassion while encouraging the victims not to allow the experience to discourage them from pursuing their aspirations.
According to him, the government will also provide free medical examinations at state-owned health facilities and psychological support through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Services to help the returnees recover from the trauma they experienced.
The Commissioner in charge of the Bureau for Special Duties, Etacherure Terry, said the intervention was funded through the governor’s contingency vote after the State Emergency Management Agency exhausted its statutory allocation for the year.
Terry said Governor Oborevwori directed that every returning Deltan be identified, documented and provided with the necessary assistance to restart life in the state.
“We receive you with open arms. You are home now, you are safe, and you are not alone,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Jacob Agbada from Isoko North Local Government Area thanked the Federal and Delta State governments for their support, describing the attacks as traumatic.
He advised Nigerians considering relocating to South Africa to reconsider, saying many foreigners lost their shops, vehicles and businesses during the violence.
Another returnee, Saturday Akanuche, said the financial support had restored his hope after losing everything in the attacks.
He expressed gratitude to the Delta State Government, saying the assistance would enable him to start a small business and rebuild his life.
