Stop Xenophobic Attacks On Nigerians— FG Tells South Africa Authorities
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has called on the South African government to take urgent measures to protect Nigerian citizens and other black immigrants amid a renewed wave of xenophobic violence in parts of the country.
In a statement issued on April 29, 2026, and signed by its Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the commission warned that conditions on the ground were worsening despite prior diplomatic engagements between both nations.
“While many expected a de-escalation of tensions following earlier engagements between both governments, the situation on the ground is deteriorating”, she noted.
According to NIDCOM, recent reports point to rising fear among Nigerian communities, with children of Nigerian descent reportedly avoiding school and business owners hesitant to open shops over concerns about looting, harassment, and targeted attacks.
Community leaders have also recorded fresh cases of violence and intimidation within the past 72 hours.
The development reflects a troubling pattern of xenophobic flare-ups in South Africa, where foreign nationals—particularly from other African countries—have periodically been targeted over economic tensions, unemployment, and crime-related perceptions. Past incidents, notably in 2008, 2015, and 2019, triggered widespread violence, destruction of businesses, and diplomatic strains between Nigeria and South Africa.
Against this backdrop, NIDCOM urged South African authorities to meet their obligations under international law and African Union protocols by ensuring the safety of all foreign nationals within their borders.
While condemning criminal acts, the commission firmly rejected the stereotyping of Nigerians.
“We state clearly that NIDCOM rejects the profiling and generalisation of all Nigerians. 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 read.
“However, collective punishment and blanket labeling of an entire nationality are unacceptable and dangerous.”
To address the situation, NIDCOM outlined key demands, including increased police deployment in affected communities, swift arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of xenophobic violence, and the establishment of a joint Nigeria–South Africa community safety forum involving law enforcement agencies, city authorities, and diaspora leaders.
It also called for stronger public messaging from South African officials condemning xenophobia and discouraging harmful stereotypes.
The commission advised Nigerians living in South Africa to remain law-abiding and avoid high-risk areas, particularly after dark, while noting that it is in close contact with Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Despite the tensions, NIDCOM acknowledged that many South Africans continue to coexist peacefully with other African nationals and urged calm and restraint.
The commission added that the Nigerian government would continue diplomatic engagements with South Africa to safeguard the rights, safety, and dignity of its citizens, while reinforcing longstanding bilateral ties rooted in shared history and regional cooperation.