Nigeria Warns South Africa, Says Further Attacks May Have Dire Consequences

Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, senior special assistant to the president on foreign affairs and the diaspora, says further attacks on Nigerians resident in South Africa may have dire consequences.

TheCable report continues:

The Nigerian community in South Africa experienced two major attacks in the last one week.

Ikechukwu Anyene, president of Nigeria Union in South Africa, had raised the alarm over the attacks and looting of Nigerian-owned businesses in Pretoria West.

“As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian businesses, including a church have been looted and burned by South Africans,” he had told NAN.

In a statement issued in Abuja, on Monday, Dabiri-Erewa called on the South African government to take decisive and definitive measures to protect Nigerian citizens and other Africans within its borders.

She advised Nigerians to be cautious as “it looks like South African government seems to have no control over these attacks”.

Dabiri-Erewa also called on the African Union (AU) to intervene in the renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in the country.

She said the attention of the AU was called because information had it that there would be more xenophobic attacks on foreigners on Wednesday and Thursday.

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

Two weeks ago, Dabiri-Erewa met with Lulu Aaron-Mnguni, South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, on the killing of Nigerians in his country.

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

“We have lost about 116 Nigerians in the last two years. And in 2016 alone, about 20 were killed. This is unacceptable to the people and government of Nigeria,” Dabiri-Erewa had said.

Again, South Africans Descend On Nigerians, ‘Burn Cars, Destroy Church’

Nigerian clergy Samson Sangojinmi was wounded in the attack. Reuters

TheCable reports that the Nigerian community in South Africa has come under yet another attack from aggrieved individuals in their host country.

According to Ikechukwu Anyene, president of Nigeria Union in South Africa, the latest attacks began at 4.00am on Saturday.

He told NAN that the union had reported the incident to the Nigerian mission and South African police.

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

“One of the buildings is a mechanic garage with 28 cars under repairs, with other vital documents, were burned during the attack.

“Also, the pastor of the church was wounded and is in the hospital receiving treatment.”

Anyene said the union had informed Nigerians in South Africa to be vigilant in the face of renewed xenophobic attacks.

According to him, the union received information that there will be xenophobic attacks against foreigners on February 22 and 23.

“We began taking precautionary measures when the incident took place today. The attack in Pretoria West is purely xenophobic and criminal attack because they loot the shops and homes before burning them,” he said.

Anyene called on the Federal Government to persuade its South African counterpart to protect Nigerians in their country.

“These attacks should not be allowed to continue because it is a big setback,” he said.

Xenophobic attacks have been on the rise of late in South Africa.

Last week, about 15 houses either belonging or rented by immigrants, especially Nigerians, were burnt by angry residents in Rosettenvile, south of Johannesburg.