ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigeria Police Force has issued an urgent appeal for public calm following reports of fresh xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerian nationals in South Africa, warning against any illegal reprisal actions against South African businesses operating in Nigeria.
The official intervention follows a high-level Joint Intelligence Board meeting on 18 May 2026, chaired by the National Security Adviser. Security and intelligence chiefs conducted a comprehensive review of the brewing diplomatic crisis to assess its security implications and coordinate national response measures.
In a statement released from Force Headquarters in Abuja on Saturday, 30 May 2026, the police assured the public that the federal government is actively engaging South African authorities through diplomatic, intelligence, and security channels to peacefully resolve the situation.
Zero Tolerance for Reprisals
While acknowledging the widespread public anger and concern over the safety of Nigerians abroad, the police leadership warned that any retaliatory violence, intimidation, or destruction of property within Nigeria would be met with full legal force.
“Reprisal attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property, hate speech, or any conduct that threatens public peace and national security is unlawful and will not be tolerated,” the Force stated.
The authorities emphasized that Nigeria remains governed by the rule of law, and all foreign nationals legally residing within the country are entitled to full state protection. Consequently, any attempt to target:
- South African Nationals: Individuals living or working within the federation;
- Diplomatic Facilities: Embassies, consulates, and official residences;
- Commercial Interests: High-street businesses, retail outlets, and corporate offices;
will be treated strictly as criminal acts and prosecuted under extant laws.
Surveillance Scaled Up Across Key Hubs
To prevent a breakdown of law and order, the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with sister security and intelligence agencies, has significantly tightened security across the country.
Adequate tactical deployments have been made, and surveillance has been heavily intensified around critical national assets, foreign missions, and prominent South African-linked business premises.
The Force also issued a strong warning against the digital escalation of the crisis. Citizens have been urged to refrain from spreading unverified, inflammatory, or provocative content on social media, noting that fake news threatens to derail ongoing diplomatic negotiations and escalate regional tensions.
Reassuring the public of its total commitment to preserving national security, the police leadership urged all citizens to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and to go about their daily business without fear.
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