The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to adopt stronger diplomatic measures against South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks, extrajudicial killings and what lawmakers described as the systematic persecution of Nigerians and other African nationals living in the country.
The resolution was reached during Thursday’s plenary after lawmakers unanimously adopted a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Yusuf Gagdi, who represents Kanke/Kanam/Pankshin Federal Constituency of Plateau State. The session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
The development coincided with the arrival of another batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa. According to a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, 282 Nigerians, including 12 infants, landed at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard an Air Peace evacuation flight at about 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. The flight marked the fourth evacuation operation carried out by the airline.
Presenting the motion, Gagdi argued that Nigeria could no longer remain passive in the face of repeated attacks on its citizens despite years of diplomatic engagement with South Africa.
He said, “The House is aware that the Republic of South Africa has, over the years, witnessed repeated waves of xenophobic violence directed against Nigerians and other African nationals, resulting in the loss of innocent lives, destruction of businesses, unlawful arrests, forced displacement and widespread fear.”
He added, “Recent reports indicate a fresh escalation of attacks targeting Nigerians, Ghanaians, Zimbabweans, Zambians, Mozambicans, Malawians and other African nationals lawfully residing in South Africa.”
The lawmaker further stated that, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed the recent killing of two Nigerian citizens, including one who reportedly died while in police custody and another who was brutally murdered in front of his business premises.”
According to him, “These tragic incidents have once again exposed Nigerians and other Africans to grave danger despite repeated diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and South Africa.”
Recalling Nigeria’s role in the struggle against apartheid, Gagdi said it was unacceptable that Nigerians now face hostility in South Africa after the country’s contribution to the liberation movement.
According to him, “Nigeria was one of the foremost nations that stood firmly against apartheid through diplomatic leadership, huge financial support, humanitarian assistance and sustained political pressure that contributed immensely to the liberation of South Africa.
“Thousands of Nigerians made sacrifices, while successive Nigerian governments committed enormous national resources in support of the anti-apartheid struggle, believing in the ideals of African solidarity, justice and freedom.
“It is, therefore, profoundly disturbing that Nigerians and other Africans now face persecution, humiliation and violent attacks in a country whose freedom they helped secure.”
Gagdi expressed concern that “Xenophobic violence has become recurrent, systematic and increasingly deadly.”
He noted that, “The repeated attacks have continued despite previous assurances by the Government of South Africa that adequate measures would be taken to guarantee the safety of foreign nationals.”
He further lamented that, “Innocent Africans continue to lose their lives while criminal perpetrators often escape justice, thereby encouraging impunity.”
The lawmaker also criticised comments allegedly made by a South African junior minister, saying, “Any inflammatory or hateful public statement capable of inciting hostility against Nigerians or other African nationals as presented by the South African Junior Minister is irresponsible, unacceptable and capable of aggravating an already volatile security situation.”
He warned that, “The continued attacks undermine the ideals of African unity, pan-Africanism, regional integration and peaceful coexistence upon which the African Union was founded.”
Gagdi further cautioned that failure to decisively address the recurring attacks could further endanger the lives and property of Nigerians in South Africa, adding that the continued inaction of the South African government “may embolden perpetrators and weaken confidence in regional institutions established to protect African citizens.”
During the debate, Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo) urged the Federal Government to strengthen diplomatic efforts with Pretoria to end the attacks.
He said, “Some measures must be taken to address this problem. We are worried that despite the engagement between our government and that of South Africa, the xenophobic attacks have continued, with the South African security architecture looking away.
“The blood of our innocent citizens is in the hands of these security personnel.”
Moshood Akiolu, representing Lagos, reflected on Nigeria’s contributions to ending apartheid and argued that the resources committed at the time could have been used elsewhere.
“The money we spent to put an end to apartheid could have been used for something else,” he said, while calling on the National Assembly to invite officials of the South African High Commission in Nigeria to explain measures being taken to protect Nigerians.
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Also contributing, Ghali Tijjani from Kano called for firmer action against South Africa.
“The attacks against Nigerians did not start today. We cannot keep maintaining diplomatic and economic ties with a country that is doing nothing to stop the killing of Nigerians in its territory,” he said.
Adebayo Adepoju, who represents Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency of Oyo State, advocated legal action and support for affected Nigerians.
“There must be a way to address the injustice being done to our people. We must seek the help of international law to seek redress.
“We must also find a way to assist them to start life again because to begin afresh will not be easy for most of them,” he said.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to summon the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria to “provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the recent killings and to clearly communicate the official position of the Government of South Africa on the protection of Nigerians and other African nationals.”
Lawmakers also called for “an independent, transparent, impartial and internationally monitored investigation into the deaths of the affected Nigerians and all other African victims, with a view to ensuring that all perpetrators are identified, prosecuted and punished.”
They further urged the Federal Government to engage the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, the United Nations and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to ensure accountability and improve the protection of African migrants in South Africa.
The House also asked the government to invoke all available diplomatic and legal mechanisms to seek redress for proven violations of international obligations owed to Nigerians, including pursuing appropriate international judicial processes where necessary.
In addition, lawmakers recommended a review of Nigeria’s bilateral relationship with South Africa and advised that aspects of cooperation be suspended or recalibrated until “credible, measurable and verifiable guarantees” are provided for the safety of Nigerians and other African nationals.
The chamber also called for improved consular services, legal support, emergency evacuation arrangements and reintegration programmes for Nigerians willing to return home.
To further address the issue, the House resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to engage the South African Parliament, the South African Government, the African Union and other relevant institutions, investigate the recurring attacks and report its findings within 21 days.
Xenophobic violence in South Africa has remained a major source of diplomatic friction between Abuja and Pretoria for more than a decade.
Major outbreaks recorded in 2008, 2015 and 2019 resulted in multiple deaths and widespread destruction of businesses owned by foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
Although South African authorities have consistently condemned the attacks and pledged to improve the safety of migrants, concerns have continued over the protection of foreign nationals and the prosecution of those responsible for the violence.