Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has warned that the Federal Government will not remain silent over the alleged harassment, humiliation and extra-judicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa following renewed xenophobic tensions.
In a statement shared on X on Thursday, the minister disclosed that she held talks with South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ronald Lamola, over rising anti-foreigner protests and anti-migrant sentiments in parts of the country.
According to Ojukwu, the Nigerian government’s immediate focus is the evacuation of citizens willing to return home after fears escalated following recent demonstrations, including a protest held in Durban on May 6.
She said Nigeria expressed serious concern over attacks targeting Nigerians and demanded accountability for reported extra-judicial killings involving its citizens.
“Our Government cannot stand by and watch the systematic harassment and humiliation of our nationals resident in South Africa as well as the extra-judicial killings of our people,” she stated.
The minister noted that although the Durban protest did not degenerate into violence due to heavy security deployment, Nigerians were advised by the Nigerian mission to shut their businesses and remain indoors for safety.
She also criticised what she described as “violent and indiscriminate rhetoric” by anti-foreigner political groups in South Africa, warning that such actions could threaten both Nigerians living in South Africa and South African interests in Nigeria.
Ojukwu further revealed that Nigerian children in South Africa, including those born to mixed Nigerian and South African parents — commonly referred to as “Sougerians” — were allegedly being bullied in schools and told to “return to their country.”
She described the reports as traumatic and unacceptable.
According to her, Lamola acknowledged South Africa’s responsibility to protect affected children and assured that education authorities were working to discourage such behaviour.
The discussions also touched on ongoing efforts by the South African government, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to de-escalate tensions after condemning the attacks.
Ojukwu questioned whether the attacks should be described as “Afriphobia” rather than xenophobia, arguing that black African foreigners appeared to be the main targets.
She added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed Nigerian missions in South Africa to establish crisis notification units for distressed citizens, while urging Nigerians facing threats to first report to South African security authorities.
