Nigeria urges AU action over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa
The Nigerian government has called on the African Union to urgently intervene in the renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans living in South Africa.
The government yesterday also called on the South African authorities to take decisive and definitive measures to protect Nigerian citizens and other Africans within South Africa’s borders.
In a statement issued in Abuja Monday, Senior Special Assistant on foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the attacks as an unnecessary setback.
While also urging restraint on the part of Nigerians, she warned that further attacks without reprimand may have dire consequences.
Dabiri-Erewa said the attention of the AU was being called to intervene because she had an information that there will be xenophobic attacks against foreigners on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23.
It will be recalled that Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa had two weeks ago met with South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr Lulu Aaron-Mnguni on the killing of Nigerians in South Africa.
Mr Aaron-Mnguni then promised that the South African government was investigating the matter.
“We have lost about 116 Nigerians in the last two years. And in 2016 alone, about 20 were killed. This is unacceptable to the people and Government of Nigeria, Dabiri-Erewa said
The Nigerian Community in South Africa led by Mr Ikechukwu Anyene confirmed the attacks and looting of Nigerian-owned businesses in Pretoria West on Saturday.
Anyene said that the union had reported the incident to the Nigeria mission and South African police.
“As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian businesses, including a church have been looted and burned by South Africans,” Anyene said.
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3 Comments
This is a slap on Nigerisn government.How cud a country once knwn as the giamt of Africa keep on watching her citizens being maltreated n killed in another country for evious reason n our leaders are nt doin anything abt it.If Nigerian govt had provided job for her citizens,am very sure that they wun think of goin there let alone seek green pasture in that accursed country.
Our pple ar bn killed in a foreign land while our leaders ar enjoyin at home…What a heartless country!…A country full of wicked n brutish leaders!
I read some comments yst in wch some heartless n useless ppl wer puttin blames on Igboz in SA for the attacks on Nigerians.Who told u tht igbo ar the only ppl indulgin in drug pushing n some other social device?
Must thz ppl b put to death bcoz of the allegation?Y cant they b arrested,tried n deport them instd of attackn all Nigerians both innocent n criminals?
N our ppl at home ar holding iboz responsible for the xenophobic attack instead of sayin no in one voice to the SAs envoius attack on our ppl
Ar u praisin SAs for killing Nigeria in their country?Lets shun tribalism n fight for our pple if our govt has lost her voice.Nigerian govt can no longer provide job n at same tim protect her citizens at hom n abroad.What a failed country!
I rest my case…May the Lord fight for us.
@ Oodua Republic.Please always write complete and good English. Not everybody understands your abbreviations
I am pleading with Nigerian immigration service to rise up and perform their job by stopping the abuses of south african companies bringing in fake “expatriates’ for job Nigerians can do.
Our law states that expatriates are allowed only when qualified Nigerians are not available for that position.
Please remove these illegal south africans from Nigeria. Nigeria is always reluctant to deport south africans, but very quick to deport other Africans. it is very unfair that south african companies bring in half baked graduates to do jobs that Nigerians can competently perform.
We will review and take appropriate action.