S.Africa must stem tide of xenophobic attacks: Nigeria

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria Monday threatened “dire consequences” if xenophobic attacks against its nationals continue unabated in South Africa, urging Pretoria to prevail on its citizens to stop violent attacks on immigrants.

In a statement responding to a recent wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the president’s advisor on foreign affairs and the diaspora, said Pretoria must take “decisive and definitive measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals” within its borders.

She also called on the African Union to weigh in on the violence, adding: “Further attacks without any reprimand may have dire consequences”.

“We have lost about 116 Nigerians in the last two years and in 2016 alone, about 20 were killed. This is unacceptable to the people and government of Nigeria,” she fumed.

The official said Nigerians in South Africa have expressed worry that further attacks are planned for this week, urging Pretoria to ensure that such attacks never occur.

Dabiri-Erewa recalled recently meeting with South Africa’s Ambassador to Nigeria Lulu Aaron-Mnguni on the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians, with the latter saying efforts are being made to stem the attacks.

Nigerians on social media and elsewhere have been called on their government to impose sanctions on South African business interests in Nigeria as a way of showing displeasure over the xenophobic attacks, but Abuja has cautioned against any retaliatory actions.