The House of Representatives has condemned the recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa but rejected a proposal to suspend diplomatic relations with the country pending further investigation.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), who decried what he described as persistent violence, unlawful arrests, extrajudicial killings and the persecution of Nigerians in South Africa.
Presenting the motion during plenary, Gagdi said repeated xenophobic attacks had claimed lives, destroyed businesses and forced many Africans to flee despite years of diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and South Africa.
He said recent reports pointed to a fresh wave of attacks targeting Nigerians as well as citizens of Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and other African countries legally resident in South Africa.
According to Gagdi, the Nigerian government recently confirmed the deaths of two Nigerians, including one who reportedly died in the custody of the South African police and another who was allegedly killed outside his business premises. He said the incidents underscored the continued vulnerability of Nigerians despite repeated assurances by the South African authorities that foreign nationals would be protected.
He warned that the attacks were becoming increasingly systematic and deadly, arguing that the failure to prosecute those responsible had encouraged a culture of impunity.
Co-sponsoring the motion, Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo) said that although the Federal Government had previously facilitated the evacuation of about 856 Nigerians from South Africa following an earlier House resolution, the latest killings suggested that South African authorities had failed to provide adequate protection for foreign nationals.
Osawaru proposed that Nigeria suspend political, diplomatic and parliamentary engagements with South Africa, including trade, investment and economic diplomacy, until decisive measures were taken to halt the attacks.
However, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, urged caution, saying such a decision should not be taken without first establishing the facts.
“We cannot suspend diplomatic relations now until we carry out our investigation and establish the facts,” Kalu said.
The proposal was subsequently rejected by a majority of lawmakers when it was put to a voice vote.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has received another batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa as part of its voluntary repatriation programme.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said an Air Peace flight carrying 284 passengers, comprising 272 adults and 12 infants, as well as two government officials, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 7.30 p.m.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry said the latest operation formed part of the government’s ongoing efforts to assist Nigerians who opted to return home following recent xenophobic attacks and heightened security concerns in South Africa.
Officials of relevant government agencies received the returnees on arrival and commenced documentation and reception procedures, while support services were being provided to facilitate their reintegration.
