By Mardiyyah Abubakar
The Federal Government has urged South Africa to end the recurring attacks on Nigerians, revealing that 98 Nigerians have been killed in the country over the past four years.
Nigeria delivered the message in Abuja during a meeting with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, who visited as a special envoy of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said President Bola Tinubu directed the meeting to address persistent “Afrophobic attacks” against Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa.
Enikanolaiye said official records show that 98 Nigerians have died in mob and hate-related attacks since 2022. He called on South Africa to take urgent and concrete steps to stop the violence, warning that the attacks threaten the long-standing relationship between Africa’s two largest economies.
He recalled that Nigeria has evacuated more than 1,500 citizens from South Africa over the years following repeated outbreaks of violence.
“I shed tears when I received the first batch of evacuees,” Enikanolaiye said. “Many returned home with nothing after their properties were looted and destroyed. That is not the Africa we want.”
The minister stressed that while Nigeria does not support criminal activities, anyone accused of a crime should face arrest and prosecution through the courts, not mob justice.
He also reminded South Africa of Nigeria’s support during the anti-apartheid struggle and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic ties.
In response, Lamola thanked Nigeria for its historic role in South Africa’s liberation and said President Ramaphosa’s government remains firmly opposed to xenophobia, racism and all forms of discrimination.
He added that South Africa will continue to enforce its immigration laws and tackle crimes such as drug trafficking and internet fraud, while calling for greater cooperation between African countries to address migration challenges.
