This was as the government summoned the South African High
Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Lulu Mnguni, for explanation over
the latest attacks on Nigerians in Pretoria and other communities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement last night observed
that incidents of xenophobic attacks had continued unabated in South
Africa since 2015.
It noted that Nigerians were among the groups that had been mainly
targeted for attack and their property looted by South Africans.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Government strongly urges the South
African Government to take the strongest measures to protect the lives
and property of foreigners living in South Africa and also to quickly
bring to justice the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
“The ministry utterly deplores these acts of mindless violence and
unwarranted attacks against other nationals in South Africa simply on
the basis of their nationality or status.
“International law and the age-old written law of hospitality amongst
nations and societies recognise the sanctity of the lives and property
of foreigners everywhere.
“The High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria is being summoned
to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during which the Federal Government’s
concerns on this matter would be brought to his attention.”
The ministry urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm and law-abiding but vigilant.
It said it had intensified contacts with the South African authorities to address the unacceptable situation.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria unequivocally insists on, and
will strenuously work towards the protection of Nigerians anywhere,
including in South Africa,” the ministry assured.
The Federal Government had earlier on Monday asked the African Union
to intervene in the renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other
Africans in South Africa.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and
Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made the call in a statement made
available to journalists in Abuja.
Dabiri-Erewa said there was credible information at her disposal that
more attacks against foreigners would take place on Wednesday and
Thursday this week.
She also called on the South African Government to take decisive and
definitive measures to protect Nigerians and other Africans in South
Africa.
The presidential aide described the attacks as unnecessary setback and advised Nigerians to be extra-cautious.
Although she urged restraint on the part of Nigerians, Dabiri-Erewa
warned that further attacks without any reprimand might have dire
consequences.
She said, “The attention of the AU is being called to intervene
because information has it that there will be other xenophobic attacks
against foreigners on February 22 (Wednesday) and February 23
(Thursday).
These attacks should not be allowed to continue because it
is a big setback.”
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs
on Monday condemned the killings of Nigerians in South Africa.
The Chairman of the committee, Mrs. Rita Orji, deplored what she called “conspiracy of silence” by the Federal Government.
She complained that while the Nigerian government did everything
within its powers to protect South Africa business entities in Nigeria,
the South African authorities did not return the favour to Nigerians.
Orji said, “The South African Government should bear in mind that
Nigerians know that they have interests, they have businesses here,
they have South Africans here, they should not put their people in
jeopardy.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian community in South Africa said, on Monday,
that some of its members were receiving calls threatening more attacks
against their homes and business premises.
The President, Nigeria Union, South Africa, Mr. Ikechukwu Anyene,
told the News Agency of Nigeria on the telephone from Pretoria, South
Africa, that some Nigerians received calls asking for payment to protect
their homes and business premises.
Anyene stated, “Some Nigerians and other foreign nationals in
Pretoria West now live in fear. Some have started packing their
belongings for fear of more attacks.
“They confirmed to the union that some South Africans were calling
and threatening to unleash mayhem on them. The callers asked for money
to be spared the attacks.
“The union is worried about the development because the South African
police have yet to arrest those who perpetrated last Saturday’s
attacks.”
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