The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has called on the South African government to urgently protect Nigerian citizens and other black immigrants amid what it described as worsening xenophobic attacks in parts of the country.
The commission made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer.
According to the statement, recent reports reaching the commission indicate growing fear among Nigerians living in South Africa, with some pupils of Nigerian descent allegedly afraid to attend school, while business owners are reluctant to open their shops for fear of attacks, looting and harassment.
NIDCOM said community leaders had also documented fresh incidents of violence and intimidation within the last 72 hours.
“While many expected a de-escalation of tensions following earlier engagements between both governments, the situation on the ground is deteriorating,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
The commission urged the South African authorities to take immediate and visible steps to safeguard all foreign nationals, in line with international law and African Union protocols on free movement and human rights.
It also rejected what it described as the profiling and generalisation of Nigerians, insisting that crime should not be linked to nationality.
“Any individual, regardless of origin, who commits an offence should be investigated and made to face the full penalty of South African law. However, collective punishment and blanket labelling of an entire nationality are unacceptable and dangerous,” the statement added.
NIDCOM further demanded increased police patrols in areas where Nigerians live and trade, the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for attacks, and the creation of a joint Nigeria-South Africa community safety forum involving police, city officials and diaspora leaders.
The commission also called for clear public messaging from South African authorities condemning xenophobia and warning against stereotyping.
It advised Nigerians residing in South Africa to remain law-abiding and avoid high-risk areas after dark.
NIDCOM said it was in direct contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Consulate in Johannesburg and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the development.
The commission commended many South Africans who continue to coexist peacefully with other Africans and expressed hope that diplomatic engagements between both countries would ensure the safety and rights of Nigerians abroad.
