The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) has called on the Federal Government and African leaders to urgently intervene over what it described as continued xenophobic attacks targeting foreigners, including Nigerians, in South Africa.
The association’s president, Frank Onyekwelu, made the appeal in a statement on Monday, April 27, expressing concern over repeated cases of harassment, intimidation, and killings allegedly directed at foreign nationals in the country.
Onyekwelu also raised alarm over reports of targeted abuse and alleged police brutality affecting Nigerians and other African migrants, warning that the situation could worsen if not addressed quickly.
He urged President Bola Tinubu, alongside key government institutions responsible for diaspora affairs, to take immediate diplomatic action to stop the attacks.
Onyekwelu said, “We are alarmed by the increasing normalisation of hostility, manifested through inflammatory rhetorics by certain political actors, unlawful intimidation, and discriminatory enforcement practices by some law enforcement personnel.
“These actions not only undermine human dignity, but also threaten the long-standing bonds of African solidarity.
“On behalf of the Nigerian community, I appeal to President Tinubu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives to act with urgency, firmness, and strategic diplomacy in tackling these developments.”
He stressed that safeguarding citizens abroad is a constitutional and moral duty, warning that inaction or delayed responses could create the impression that Nigerians in the diaspora are unsupported by their home country.
The NICASA president also called for sustained diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to guarantee the protection of Nigerians’ lives, businesses, and rights.
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He proposed the creation of a transparent system for reporting and addressing incidents of harassment, abuse, and xenophobic violence, as well as ensuring accountability for law enforcement officers implicated in misconduct.
According to him, such measures would help deter future abuses and improve the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa.
“Nigerians in South Africa are law-abiding, economically contributing, and socially integrated members of society. The reckless stereotyping and collective criminalisation of our people must stop.
“The clear efforts and community intervention of the Nigerian Consul-General, Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, has lightened up hope and shown that we still have a concerned and committed mission whose efforts and actions need more governmental backing.
“NICASA reiterates its commitment to peace, lawful conduct, and constructive engagement within our host nation.
“We urge compatriots to remain calm, vigilant, and compliant with the laws of South Africa, while we pursue diplomatic and institutional remedies,” he said.
He further urged African leaders to unite in addressing rising hostility against Africans within the continent.
“We also urge all African leaders to work closely together in ending the current trend of intra-African hostility that is unacceptable and unsustainable.
“We call for a united continental response through the African Union and regional blocs to confront and dismantle the structures, narratives, and policies that fuel this growing intolerance.”
Onyekwelu added that Africa’s unity and integration vision cannot be achieved amid division and xenophobia, stressing that peaceful coexistence remains a shared responsibility across the continent.
NICASA, he said, remains committed to advocating for justice, dignity, and protection for Nigerians living abroad.