NewzBy Esther Onyegbula For Eze Pauline Ijeoma, stepping onto Nigerian soil was more than a homecoming. It was a return to a place where she hoped she could finally live and work without fear. After years in South Africa, where she said xenophobic attacks, police detentions and difficulties running her food business had made life increasingly difficult, Ijeoma was among 105 Nigerians who returned to the country in the second batch sponsored by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG.
“I would say that we are so grateful and we are so happy to be home because there is no place like home,” the Imo State indigene said. “No more xenophobic, no more attack, no more police, no more problems. So, we are so happy.” Ijeoma’s relief, however, came against the backdrop of painful experiences she said she endured during her stay in South Africa.
‘I left in 2013’ “I left Nigeria in 2013, went home and came back again in 2023. This period, it was so hard,” she said. According to her, the situation affected her ability to earn a living as a food seller, as she became apprehensive about going out to conduct her business.
“I don’t go to business because every time you go to business, you come back with your food. I don’t sell because anytime you go out, police will arrest you. And you sell it inside the cell.” She also recounted the emotional burden of witnessing Nigerians lose their lives and the difficulties she said she faced during encounters with the police.
“Because seeing our brothers dying every time. Every time, police will arrest you for doing nothing. Even going to business is a problem,” she said.
Ijeoma, who disclosed that her husband died in South Africa, said she took to food vending as a means of survival but alleged that police harassment made it increasingly difficult to operate. “My husband passed away in South Africa. It was not easy, that’s why I started selling food,” she said.
Summary from source