Stop Killing Nigerians – FG Confronts South Africa Over 98 Deaths, Demands Immediate Action

• Federal Government tells South Africa to end recurring attacks on Nigerians after revealing that 98 citizens have been killed in mob and hate-related violence over the past four years

• Abuja warns that continued xenophobic attacks threaten decades of diplomatic cooperation between Africa’s two biggest economies and undermine continental unity

• FG recalls evacuation of over 1,500 Nigerians from South Africa, describing the humanitarian impact as devastating for families who lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods

• South Africa condemns xenophobia, acknowledges Nigeria’s role in ending apartheid but insists it will continue enforcing immigration and anti-crime laws within the framework of the rule of law

July 28, () — The Federal Government has delivered its strongest diplomatic rebuke yet to South Africa over the persistent attacks on Nigerians, declaring that the killing of its citizens must end immediately after revealing that at least 98 Nigerians have died in mob and hate-related violence in the country over the past four years.

The stern warning was delivered on Monday in Abuja during a high-level diplomatic engagement with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, who arrived in Nigeria as a special envoy of President Cyril Ramaphosa to ease growing tensions over recurring attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa.

Lamola first conveyed a message from President Ramaphosa to President Bola Tinubu before holding talks with senior Nigerian officials led by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.

Presidential sources told that President Tinubu directed that the meeting should confront the issue of repeated attacks on Nigerians frankly, amid growing public outrage over the safety of Nigerian citizens living and working in South Africa.

FG: ‘This Must Stop’

Addressing the South African delegation, Enikanolaiye said Nigeria could no longer remain silent over what he described as a disturbing pattern of “Afrophobic attacks” against Nigerians and other African migrants.

“We have seen a pattern that has become a concern to the Nigerian government,” the minister said.

He disclosed that official records showed that 98 Nigerians had been killed in mob and hate-related attacks in South Africa since 2022, while noting that outbreaks of xenophobic violence against foreign nationals have persisted since 1995.

The minister stressed that Nigeria expected Pretoria to move beyond expressions of concern by taking urgent and concrete measures to halt the violence, prosecute perpetrators and ensure that foreign nationals are adequately protected.

According to him, the continued attacks threaten decades of strategic cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa, widely regarded as Africa’s two largest economies and influential regional powers.

Enikanolaiye recalled the evacuation of more than 1,500 Nigerians from South Africa following previous waves of xenophobic violence, describing the experience as one of the most heartbreaking moments of his public service.

“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 lamented that many victims were lawful residents who had invested their lives and businesses in South Africa, only to lose everything during violent attacks.

The minister questioned the inability of South African security agencies to prevent or swiftly stop the attacks, saying the repeated incidents raised serious concerns over the protection of migrants and the responsibility of the state.

While reaffirming Nigeria’s zero tolerance for criminality, Enikanolaiye maintained that allegations against any individual must be addressed through lawful judicial procedures rather than 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.

He emphasised that suspects should be arrested, investigated and prosecuted where evidence exists, insisting that jungle justice has no place in any democratic society.

The minister also reminded the South African delegation of Nigeria’s immense contribution to the struggle against apartheid, recalling decades of political, diplomatic and financial support provided to South Africa during its liberation struggle.

He further highlighted the close partnership between both countries in transforming the Organisation of African Unity into the African Union and advancing continental initiatives such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

Despite Nigeria’s strong protest, Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Abuja’s commitment to maintaining cordial bilateral relations, expressing optimism that sustained dialogue would strengthen mutual trust and preserve African solidarity.

South Africa Reassures Nigeria

Responding, Lamola said his mission was to reaffirm the historic friendship between both countries while engaging Nigerian authorities over concerns surrounding attacks on foreign nationals. He acknowledged Nigeria’s pivotal role in South Africa’s liberation from apartheid, describing the country’s sacrifices as invaluable.

“We remain deeply indebted to the people of Nigeria for their sacrifice”, he said.

Lamola reiterated that President Ramaphosa’s administration remained firmly opposed to xenophobia, racism, discrimination, homophobia and every other form of intolerance.

However, he maintained that South Africa also has a constitutional obligation to enforce its immigration laws and combat criminal activities, including drug trafficking, internet fraud and irregular migration.

According to him, migration has become a continental challenge requiring coordinated responses by African governments under the African Union’s framework on orderly and regular migration.

“We believe that Nigeria and South Africa have a shared responsibility to respond to these challenges within the African continent,” he said, adding that President Ramaphosa’s message to President Tinubu would be further discussed during a closed-door session.

Background

Nigeria and South Africa have endured recurring diplomatic tensions over xenophobic violence for nearly three decades. Since the first major outbreaks in the mid-1990s, repeated attacks have claimed the lives of Nigerians and other African migrants, destroyed businesses worth millions and triggered several emergency evacuations.

More than 1,500 Nigerians have been repatriated from South Africa during different waves of violence, while successive Nigerian governments have repeatedly demanded stronger protection for their citizens and accountability for perpetrators.

Monday’s meeting marks the latest diplomatic effort by Abuja to press Pretoria for decisive action against xenophobic violence while preserving a strategic partnership regarded as critical to Africa’s economic growth, regional security and continental integration.