By Mardiyyah Abubakar
The Federal Government has demanded justice for Nigerians killed in xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, while seeking compensation for citizens whose businesses and properties were destroyed.
The government said at least 98 Nigerians had been killed in mob and hate-related attacks in South Africa since 2022.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, disclosed this after meeting with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and special envoy to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ronald Lamola, in Abuja.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria had expressed strong concern over the repeated attacks and called for accountability, thorough investigations and the prosecution of those responsible.
He said the government was compiling details of losses suffered by thousands of Nigerians living in South Africa.
The records will support compensation claims to be presented to the South African government.
“Nigeria is not helpless in this situation. All options are still on the table,” the minister said, adding that diplomacy remained the government’s preferred approach.
He explained that Nigeria had created and distributed claims forms to help victims document damaged properties, looted businesses and other losses.
According to him, the government will verify the claims before formally presenting them to South African authorities.
Enikanolaiye said South African officials had promised to speed up investigations into the deaths of Nigerians. He added that some suspects had been arrested and prosecutions were ongoing.
However, Nigeria insisted that the cases must lead to accountability and convictions.
The minister said every Nigerian deserved protection, regardless of immigration status.
“Whether they are regular or irregular, they are human beings,” he said. “Criminals also have a right to life.”
He added that protesters had no right under international law to harass, attack or kill Nigerians or other African nationals.
The government also plans to activate the Nigeria-South Africa Early Warning Mechanism and the Bi-National Commission to prevent further attacks and strengthen cooperation.
Enikanolaiye said about 1,490 Nigerians had been evacuated from South Africa, with some evacuation flights supported by private individuals.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving funds for the evacuation and said the government was exploring additional funding to assist more Nigerians who wished to return home.
The minister said President Tinubu preferred the term “Afrophobia” because the attacks had affected not only Nigerians but also citizens of Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and other African countries.
He added that the President would use his relationship with Ramaphosa to pursue a lasting solution and improve the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa.
