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Nigeria urges South Africa to protect its citizens from xenophobic attacks

Xinhua, February 21, 2017 Adjust font size:

Nigeria on Monday called on the South African government to take decisive and definitive measures to protect Nigerian citizens and other Africans within South African borders.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, in a statement made available to Xinhua in Lagos, the nation's economic hub, described the attacks as an unnecessary setback.

She called on the African Union to intervene urgently in the renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

The Nigerian Community in South Africa led by Ikechukwu Anyene confirmed the attacks and looting of Nigerian-owned businesses in Pretoria West on Saturday.

Anyene said the union had reported the incident to the Nigeria mission and South African police.

"As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian businesses, including a church have been looted and burned by South Africans," Anyene said.

Dabiri-Erewa advised Nigerians to be extra cautious as it looks like South African government seems to have no control over these attacks.

Dabiri-Erewa said the attention of the AU was being called to intervene because information had it that there will be another xenophobic attacks against foreigners on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23.

"These attacks should not be allowed to continue because it is a big setback," she said.

The Nigerian official had two weeks ago met with South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Lulu Aaron-Mnguni, on the killing of Nigerians in South Africa.

Aaron-Mnguni then promised that the South African government was investigating the matter. Endit