The Federal Government has confronted South Africa over the killing of Nigerians, revealing that 98 Nigerians have been murdered in the country in the last four years.
The warning was delivered on Monday in Abuja to South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, who was sent by President Cyril Ramaphosa to mend strained ties following repeated attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals.
The government also disclosed that more than 1,500 Nigerians have been evacuated from South Africa due to the recurring violence.
Speaking during a meeting with the South African delegation, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said President Bola Tinubu ordered the talks to address the persistent “Afrophobic attacks” against Nigerians.
According to him, official records show that 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related attacks since 2022, warning that the killings threaten the long-standing relationship between Africa’s two biggest economies.
Enikanolaiye urged Pretoria to take immediate action to end the attacks, recalling the emotional evacuation of Nigerians who lost homes and businesses.
“I shed tears when I received the first batch of evacuees. I saw children, women and the elderly returning home with almost nothing after their properties had been looted and destroyed. That is not the Africa we want,” he said.
He added that many of the victims were legally resident in South Africa and questioned why security agencies failed to stop the attacks.
While stressing that Nigeria does not support criminality, the minister insisted that anyone accused of crimes should face the courts—not mob justice.
Responding, Lamola thanked Nigeria for its support during South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle and said his government remained strongly opposed to xenophobia, racism and all forms of discrimination.
However, he maintained that South Africa has a duty to enforce its immigration laws and tackle crimes such as drug trafficking, internet fraud and illegal migration.
Lamola said both countries must work together to address migration and security challenges across Africa, adding that President Ramaphosa’s message to President Tinubu would be discussed behind closed doors.
