The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has called on the South African government to take immediate action to safeguard the lives of Nigerians and other black immigrants following a resurgence of xenophobic violence in the country.
Renewed Xenophobic Incidents
In a statement issued on Tuesday, NIDCOM expressed alarm over the deteriorating situation in parts of South Africa, where incidents of intimidation, looting, and targeted attacks have been reported in recent days. The commission's chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, noted that the rising tensions have instilled fear within affected communities.
“While many expected a de-escalation of tensions following earlier engagements between both governments, the situation on the ground is deteriorating,” she said.
Impact on Nigerian Community
According to NIDCOM, children of Nigerian descent are now afraid to attend school, while business owners have shut down operations due to fears of harassment and violence. Community leaders have also reported fresh attacks within the last 72 hours, heightening concerns over safety.
Call for International Obligations
NIDCOM urged South African authorities to fulfill their obligations under international law and African Union protocols by ensuring the protection of all foreign nationals within their borders. The agency rejected the profiling and generalisation of Nigerians, stressing that criminal acts should be addressed on an individual basis.
“Crime has no nationality. Any individual, regardless of origin, who commits an offence should be investigated and made to face the full penalty of South African law,” the statement said, warning that collective punishment and stereotyping were “dangerous and unacceptable.”
Proposed Measures
The commission outlined several key measures to address the crisis, including:
- Increased police presence in affected communities
- Prompt arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks
- Clear public messaging condemning xenophobia
- Establishment of a joint Nigeria–South Africa community safety forum involving law enforcement agencies, local authorities, and diaspora leaders
Diplomatic Engagement
The latest appeal comes amid renewed concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa, where past attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. Recent reports of isolated incidents and growing anti-immigrant sentiment have revived fears of a broader escalation, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to maintain stability.
NIDCOM said it is in contact with Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to monitor developments. It urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain law-abiding and avoid high-risk areas, while calling for calm and restraint.
“Nigeria will continue to work diplomatically with South Africa to ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of our citizens abroad,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
