The Federal Government has demanded immediate action from South Africa to end the recurring attacks on Nigerians, revealing that no fewer than 98 Nigerians have been killed in the country over the past four years.
The demand was made on Monday in Abuja during a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, who was sent by President Cyril Ramaphosa as a special envoy to deliver a message to President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at the meeting, Enikanolaiye said President Tinubu had directed Nigerian officials to engage South Africa on the persistent wave of what he described as “Afrophobic” attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants.
He said the repeated incidents had become a major concern for the Nigerian government, noting that official records show 98 Nigerians have lost their lives in mob attacks and other hate-related violence in South Africa since 2022.
The minister urged Pretoria to take urgent and concrete measures to halt the attacks, warning that they pose a serious threat to the longstanding diplomatic and economic relationship between Africa’s two largest economies.
Enikanolaiye recalled the evacuation of more than 1,500 Nigerians from South Africa following previous outbreaks of violence, describing the experience as heartbreaking.
“I shed tears when I received the first batch of evacuees. I saw children, women and the elderly returning home with almost nothing after their properties had been looted and destroyed. That is not the Africa we want,” he said.
He also questioned why South African security agencies failed to protect many of the victims, stressing that several of those attacked were legally resident in the country.
While reaffirming that Nigeria does not support criminality, Enikanolaiye insisted that anyone accused of crimes should be prosecuted through the judicial system rather than subjected to mob violence.
“Nigeria will not support drug traffickers or any criminal activity, but those accused of crimes must be treated in accordance with the rule of law, South Africa’s Constitution and international human rights standards,” he said.
The minister further reminded the South African delegation of Nigeria’s historic role in supporting the country’s liberation from apartheid and its continued partnership in advancing African unity through the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
Despite the concerns, Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining cordial relations with South Africa and expressed optimism that both countries would strengthen dialogue and cooperation.
Responding, Lamola acknowledged Nigeria’s significant contribution to South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle and expressed gratitude for the support.
“We remain deeply indebted to the people of Nigeria for their sacrifice,” he said.
The South African envoy maintained that President Ramaphosa’s administration remains firmly opposed to xenophobia, racism and all forms of discrimination. However, he stressed that South Africa has a sovereign responsibility to enforce its immigration laws and tackle crimes such as drug trafficking, internet fraud and irregular migration.
Lamola added that migration remains a continental challenge that requires African countries to work together under the African Union’s framework for orderly and regular migration.
He said President Ramaphosa’s message to President Tinubu would be further discussed during a closed-door meeting.
Comments