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Nigeria on Sunday reversed its calm stance as it stepped up its diplomatic response to xenophobic attacks on other Africans in general, and Nigerians in particular living in the country.
Nigeria warned that it may take unspecified action against Pretoria if persistent killings and targeted attacks on Nigerian citizens continue, following the deaths of two Nigerians in as many days amid rising xenophobic tensions.
The warning, one of the strongest warnings issued by Abuja in recent years regarding the safety of its citizens in South Africa, comes as the Federal Government condemns what it describes as a disturbing pattern of extrajudicial killings, hate speech and a rise in Afrophobic violence, and insists that South African authorities must immediately bring the perpetrators to justice.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government said the ongoing attacks had reached intolerable levels, and stated that while Nigeria remained committed to diplomacy and African solidarity, its patience should not be mistaken for weakness.
“We would like to inform the South African Government that if this situation continues, all options remain on the table, some of which will be activated if South Africa’s trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behavior towards uncultured and provocative foreigners is not addressed,” said a statement from ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa.
The latest diplomatic dispute was sparked by the killing of two Nigerians on June 28.
One of the victims, Emeka Iroegbu, was allegedly tortured to death by Tshwane Metro Police officers in Sunnyside, Pretoria, in what the ministry described as “horrifying interrogation techniques.”
The ministry further alleged that the same officers had previously, on 20 April, been responsible for the extrajudicial killing of another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Ekmenyong, and noted that although the identities of the four officers were known to the South African Police Service (SAPS), no arrests had been made.
In a separate incident, Musa Yunana Joe, known as “Big Joe,” was reportedly shot dead by unknown gunmen outside his shop in Witbank, Mpumalanga.
Describing the incident as part of a wider pattern of violence against foreigners, the Federal Government questioned the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa and accused some groups of deliberately criminalizing Nigerian migrants to justify attacks on them.
It said the repeated killings, especially those allegedly involving law enforcement officers, raised serious questions about the state’s responsibilities under international law.
The ministry also condemned recent statements reportedly made by a South African Government spokesperson urging Nigerians leaving the country due to xenophobic protests to reveal where illegal drugs are hidden.
Abuja described the comments as inflammatory, unprofessional and capable of inciting hatred against Nigerians, and warned that public officials should refrain from making statements that reinforce harmful stereotypes.
They also criticized anti-immigrant organizations such as March on March and Operation Dudula, and accused them of inciting violence against fellow Africans through hate campaigns and xenophobic mobilization.
The government demanded an immediate investigation into the latest killings and other unresolved cases involving victims in Nigeria, and stressed that criminal charges against anyone must be dealt with through the legal process and not through mass trials or extrajudicial executions.
While assuring Nigerians in South Africa that diplomatic relations with Pretoria will continue, the ministry urged them to remain vigilant, avoid areas prone to violence and move to safer environments if necessary.
It was also revealed that the evacuation of registered Nigerians wishing to return home continues.
The government appealed to Nigerians at home not to carry out retaliatory actions against South African businesspeople or citizens, and emphasized that dialogue remains Nigeria’s first option in resolving this crisis.
The latest warning reignited long-standing tensions between Africa’s two largest economies over repeated xenophobic attacks on African migrants, particularly Nigerians.
Relations between Nigeria and South Africa have periodically been strained since the end of apartheid, although the two countries maintain strong diplomatic, political and commercial ties and together play a leading role in the African Union.
Beginning in the late 2000s, a wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa claimed dozens of lives and destroyed businesses owned by foreign nationals. Nigerians are often victims, along with migrants from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Somalia, Ethiopia and other African countries.
These attacks gained global attention during widespread anti-foreigner violence in 2008, while new attacks in 2015 and 2019 prompted strong diplomatic protests from Nigeria. The 2019 violence forced the Federal Government to boycott the World Economic Forum on Africa held in Cape Town, while Air Peace evacuated hundreds of stranded Nigerians back to their homes.
Although the two governments later established diplomatic mechanisms, including the Early Warning Mechanism and the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission, reports of harassment, extrajudicial killings and attacks on Nigerians continued to emerge.
Sunday’s firm statement marks the toughest stance Abuja has taken in recent years, suggesting that in addition to diplomatic protests, Nigeria may consider additional action if the South African government fails to stop the killings and prosecute those responsible.
As xenophobic demonstrations again gain momentum in parts of South Africa, the latest developments threaten to reopen one of the most contentious issues in relations between the continent’s two leading powers.
