Nigeria has warned that it will not tolerate attacks on its citizens in South Africa as anti-migrant protests began on Tuesday in parts of the country.
The protests, organised by anti-migration vigilante groups, including March and March, followed an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa. Although the organisers said the demonstrations were aimed at undocumented migrants and would remain peaceful, some lawful migrants have reported harassment.
Reacting to the development, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs, Ademola Oshodi, said Nigeria had already issued a strong warning to the South African authorities over the safety of its nationals.
“The warning is simple: Nigeria expects action. Investigate every reported attack, protect Nigerian communities, restrain vigilante groups, prosecute wrongdoing, and activate the Nigeria–South Africa Early Warning Mechanism without further delay,” Oshodi said.
According to him, “South Africa has every right to enforce its immigration laws. But that responsibility belongs to the state, through lawful institutions, not to mobs, vigilante groups, or political movements targeting foreign nationals. No African should be attacked, threatened, denied healthcare, pushed out of business, or humiliated because of where they come from.”
Oshodi added that Nigeria’s longstanding support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle meant both countries should uphold mutual respect and protect each other’s citizens.
His remarks came amid reports that at least two Nigerians have been killed since xenophobic attacks resurfaced in South Africa.
Meanwhile, March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma denied that the group intended to promote violence during the demonstrations.
“We are not calling for violence. No one will be killed on 30 June and no looting will take place in our name,” she said.
Earlier, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appealed for calm, saying citizens have the constitutional right to protest peacefully but warning that anyone involved in violence or criminal activity would face the full weight of the law.
The Nigerian government also confirmed that two evacuation flights, alongside a separate unofficial flight, have already returned Nigerians who voluntarily chose to leave South Africa.
It added that more evacuation flights are expected in the coming days for citizens who have completed the necessary screening process.
Nigeria warns South Africa over attacks on citizens amid anti-migrant protests