The Nigerian government has called on South Africa to take urgent and concrete action to stop persistent violence targeted at Nigerians and other African nationals living in the country.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with a South African delegation in Abuja, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olusola Enikanolaiye, declared that “enough is enough,” revealing that official figures show at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob actions and hate-related violence in South Africa since 2022.
The minister stated that the diplomatic engagement was ordered directly by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to find a lasting solution to the recurring violence.
While acknowledging South African concerns regarding criminal activity involving foreign nationals, Ambassador Enikanolaiye stressed that law enforcement must strictly follow judicial processes rather than relying on vigilante action.
“If anyone is accused of drug trafficking or any other crime, arrest the person, prosecute them and allow the law to take its course,” he said. “The Nigerian Government does not support criminality, but no one should be subjected to mob justice or extrajudicial killings.”
‘Heartbreaking’ evacuations
The diplomatic talks come in the wake of recent emergency operations that saw nearly 1,500 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following widespread looting and destruction of property.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye described receiving the evacuees—who included women, children, and elderly people returning home with few possessions—as “heartbreaking,” adding that “this is not the way African nations should relate with one another.”
A long history strained by violence
Nigeria and South Africa share a deeply rooted history of cooperation, dating back to Nigeria’s strong backing of the anti-apartheid movement, as well as joint efforts in creating the African Union (AU). However, repeated waves of anti-foreigner violence—recorded across multiple years including 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2026—have continually strained bilateral relations.
The Nigerian envoy urged South African authorities to ensure security forces properly uphold the rule of law and protect all legal residents, regardless of nationality.
Reaffirming President Tinubu’s warm regards to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ambassador Enikanolaiye emphasized that migration should be managed through humane policies rather than hostility, adding that Nigeria remains committed to working alongside South Africa to foster continental peace and integration.
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