The Federal Government of Nigeria has said that any retaliatory action against South Africa over the ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African migrants would ultimately require the involvement of the National Assembly.
According to The Nation, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the position known while addressing concerns over the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa.
Nigeria Yet to Take Retaliatory Action
According to the minister, the Nigerian government is currently pursuing diplomatic engagement with South African authorities but may be forced to review other options if the situation persists.
She said:
“When your citizens are being harassed, when your citizens are people who have spent years there, and mind you, some of them are married to South Africans and have children who have known no other home but South Africa, then it becomes a serious concern.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that affected Nigerians are not only being targeted, but their South African spouses and children are also being pressured to leave the country.
Minister Questions Double Standards
The minister pointed to the large number of South African businesses operating freely in Nigeria.
She stated:
“There are over 120 South African companies operating in Nigeria. Nobody is asking them to provide proof of identity. Nobody is asking South African staff working there whether they are South Africans or Nigerians, and nobody is taking over their shops or businesses.”
She added:
“But this is happening to Nigerians in South Africa. So, I think that at some point, we really have to review the options available to us.”
Among the South African companies she mentioned were MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic and Protea.
Xenophobia Damaging South Africa’s Reputation
The minister argued that the attacks are causing long-term damage to South Africa’s image across Africa and the international community.
According to her:
“It is causing reputational damage, and that is quite sad because the late Madiba, Nelson Mandela, worked so hard to project South Africa as a bastion of Pan-Africanism.”
She further said:
“South Africa has been stained with the stigma of being a xenophobic country. This is not something I think they will be comfortable with in the long run.”
Reports of Violence Against Migrants
Reports indicate that anti-migrant vigilante groups have targeted foreign nationals in several South African cities.
Victims have allegedly suffered:
Looting of shops and businesses
Attacks on homes
Intimidation and harassment
Forced displacement
Physical assaults and killings
Critics have accused security agencies in South Africa of failing to adequately protect migrants from attacks.
Public Reactions
The development has generated strong reactions from Nigerians online.
Support for Stronger Action
A social media user wrote:
“Nigeria cannot keep watching while its citizens are being treated this way. Diplomacy is good, but there must be consequences.”
Another commenter stated:
“If South African businesses enjoy protection in Nigeria, Nigerians deserve the same protection in South Africa.”
Calls for Caution
Some Nigerians urged the government to avoid actions that could escalate tensions.
One user said:
“Retaliation should be the last option. The focus should be on protecting lives and finding diplomatic solutions.”
Another added:
“Ordinary Nigerians in both countries should not suffer because of political disagreements.”
Atiku Reacts
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also criticised the Federal Government’s response to the attacks, arguing that Nigeria should act more decisively to protect its citizens abroad.
He reportedly compared Nigeria’s response with actions taken by other African countries that have evacuated their citizens from South Africa.
