ABUJA – The Federal Government has threatened to review privileges enjoyed by South African businesses and nationals in Nigeria as outrage grows over renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on Monday said Nigeria was deeply dissatisfied with what she described as the South African government’s weak response to the harassment, intimidation and attacks on Nigerian citizens.
Speaking after briefing President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the minister accused South African authorities of failing to adequately protect Nigerians whose businesses have allegedly been looted and set ablaze.
“Our citizens are being harassed. Their properties are being looted. Criminal actions are being perpetrated, and the police refuse to do anything. The South African government has not come out strongly and firmly enough to condemn these incidents,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu dismissed claims that the affected Nigerians were illegal migrants, insisting that many of them were legitimate residents and business owners.
According to her, Nigerian children are also facing intimidation in schools, while black migrants appear to be the primary targets of the attacks.
Expressing disappointment over the development, the minister recalled Nigeria’s historic support for South Africa’s liberation struggle, noting that many Nigerians sacrificed resources and participated in anti-apartheid campaigns to secure the country’s freedom.
“Nigeria is not happy with South Africa. Nigeria committed funds and resources to the struggle. We demonstrated, protested and stood firmly with South Africans during their fight against apartheid. Nigerians are therefore pained by the treatment being meted out to them today,” she said.
On whether Nigeria could retaliate by reviewing the operations of South African companies in the country, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the option remained under consideration.
“That is a situation we are considering. It is a decision that has to be taken at the highest level of government, but it is not off the table,” she stated.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has approved five evacuation flights to bring willing Nigerians home from South Africa.
The minister disclosed that 1,092 Nigerians had registered for voluntary repatriation, while more than 500 had already been screened and cleared for evacuation.
She said the first evacuation flight, initially scheduled for Monday, was shifted to Wednesday due to logistical arrangements and not diplomatic setbacks.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu added that the Federal Government, working with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other agencies, had put plans in place to rehabilitate returnees upon arrival.
The latest diplomatic tension follows anti-immigration protests organised by pressure groups in South Africa, sparking fears among foreign nationals and reviving memories of previous xenophobic violence that strained relations between both countries.
Nigeria has repeatedly condemned the attacks and insists it will continue to protect its citizens wherever they reside.
