The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into the recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa, with a view to documenting the human and financial losses suffered by victims and pursuing compensation where necessary.
Lawmakers said the exercise would also strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement with South Africa and improve protection for Nigerians living abroad.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved on Tuesday, July 21, by Babajimi Benson, who represents Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State.
While presenting the motion, Benson reminded the House of Nigeria’s historic role in ending apartheid in South Africa, stressing that the country made significant sacrifices to support the liberation struggle.
He said, “Nigeria remains one of the foremost architects of South Africa’s liberation, having committed enormous diplomatic, financial and political resources towards the dismantling of apartheid, including sustained advocacy at the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Organisation of African Unity, establishment of the Southern African Relief Fund, educational scholarships for South Africans and the imposition of economic sacrifices on its own citizens in support of the struggle for freedom.”
Benson, however, expressed concern that Nigerians who are legally resident in South Africa have continued to endure repeated attacks for almost two decades.
He said, “Nigerians residing lawfully in the Republic of South Africa have, for nearly two decades, remained recurrent targets of xenophobic violence characterised by killings, mob attacks, physical assaults, arson, looting of businesses, destruction of properties, forced displacement, intimidation and hate campaigns principally directed at African migrants.”
The lawmaker recalled that major outbreaks of violence occurred in 2008, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021, each resulting in diplomatic tensions, emergency evacuations and promises by South African authorities to prevent further attacks.
He also raised concern over the renewed activities of anti-foreigner groups.
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According to him, “The recent resurgence of coordinated anti-foreigner campaigns and inflammatory rhetoric by groups such as Operation Dudula and similar organisations created widespread fear amongst Nigerian residents, with many reportedly abandoning homes, businesses and investments while seeking emergency evacuation following threats and unlawful ultimatums issued against foreign African nationals.”
Benson noted that although previous National Assembly sessions had condemned the attacks and called for diplomatic action, there had never been a detailed legislative investigation into the number of Nigerians killed, injured or displaced, or the value of businesses and properties lost.
He argued that the lack of verified information had weakened Nigeria’s ability to pursue justice for victims.
He said, “Condemnation and diplomatic protests without a corresponding institutional effort to comprehensively document the losses suffered by Nigerians have denied the Federal Government and the National Assembly an authoritative evidential basis for policy formulation, legislative intervention and sustained diplomatic negotiations.”
According to him, a comprehensive inquiry would provide accurate records of the human, economic and social consequences of the attacks and help shape long-term diplomatic and legislative responses.
The motion received overwhelming support from lawmakers and was adopted through a voice vote presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Following its adoption, the House directed its Committees on Integration and Cooperation in Africa, Diaspora, and Foreign Affairs to investigate the casualties, destruction and losses suffered by Nigerians during previous and recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The committees were also instructed to compile a register of properties abandoned by Nigerians because of the violence and recommend diplomatic initiatives, legal options and bilateral measures to ensure accountability for those responsible, secure compensation for victims where applicable and improve the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa.
The committees are expected to present their findings to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.