No Nigerians hurt in South Africa violence: official

A leading Nigerian lawmaker said Friday that no Nigerians have been hurt so far in South Africa's fresh spate of xenophobia violence.

But Abike Dabiri-Erewa, leader of the Nigerian parliament on diaspora, said Nigerian businesses and shops have been disrupted and Nigerians in South Africa are not safe to move freely.

"The recent attacks which have left many dead, businesses and shops vandalized, many beaten up mercilessly, was incited by a statement allegedly made by South African Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, who told African migrants to go home as they were no longer welcome in South Africa," said Dabiri-Erewa.

"We have called the Nigerian community and addressed them and told them to close their shops, stay home and keep out of trouble and obey the laws of South Africa," said the lawmaker. "We also confirmed that the South African authorities have moved in to take actions that would forestall any further disturbance in South Africa."

Following attacks on Africans in South Africa, Nigerian lawmakers have called on the Federal Government and President Goodluck Jonathan to recall Nigeria's High Commissioner to the country, saying Nigeria will not tolerate killing of its citizens.

The lawmaker also appealed to the federal government to apply the diplomatic principle of reciprocity in dealing with South Africa, adding that if South Africa continues to frustrate Nigerian businesses, Nigeria must also do the same to South African businesses in the country.

To avoid being killed or injured, some Nigerians who live in areas where Zulu boys have unleashed terror ran to the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria to seek refuge. Nigeria has a population of over 450,000 in South Africa. Endi