Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated Nigeria’s opposition to xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, saying the country will no longer tolerate the dehumanisation or mistreatment of its citizens.
Shettima spoke as he departed Luanda, Angola, for Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).
Speaking to journalists in Luanda shortly before his departure, the Vice President said Nigeria remained committed to addressing concerns with South Africa through dialogue and peaceful engagement.
However, he said the Nigerian government would continue to make its position clear whenever the dignity and safety of Nigerians were threatened.
“Those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should learn to be humble. We were part of the struggle for the liberation of our brothers and sisters in Southern Africa, and we feel personally pained that our people have been picked up for humiliation,” the Vice President was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, on Monday.
He added: “The government and people of Nigeria will no longer countenance a situation whereby our people are dehumanised and put into very, very unacceptable situations.
“But we believe in having very robust conversations with our South African brothers. We don’t want to overheat the polity, but once in a while, you have to make it very clear, vehemently clear, that certain situations are unacceptable, and we’ll work things out.”
Shettima, while condemning xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, urged South African authorities to protect lives and uphold human dignity in enforcing the country’s immigration policies.
The Vice President has since departed Luanda for Nigeria.
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