The Federal Government has called on the South African authorities to take urgent and concrete action to end the recurring xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.
Speaking during a meeting with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, expressed concern over the persistent violence against Nigerians living in South Africa.
Enikanolaiye noted that xenophobic attacks have recurred over the years, citing incidents in 1995, 1998, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2026. He disclosed that 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related attacks since 2022.
The minister stressed that while Nigeria does not support criminality, anyone accused of committing crimes should be arrested, prosecuted and punished in accordance with the law, rather than being subjected to mob violence.
He also expressed concern that some victims of the attacks were legally resident in South Africa, alleging that security agencies had, in some instances, failed to intervene during attacks, raising questions about the protection of foreign nationals.
According to Enikanolaiye, President Bola Tinubu directed the meeting to address the issue frankly and strengthen bilateral efforts aimed at protecting Nigerians and ending the recurring violence.
