Over 98 Nigeria citizens have been killed in South Africa in a mob and hate-related attacks since 2022.
This was disclosed by the Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday after it urged South Africa to take urgent and concrete measures to end recurring Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.
The demand came in Abuja when South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, delivered a message from the South African leader to President Bola Tinubu amid renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa.
While speaking after the meeting, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said President Tinubu had directed that discussions with the South African delegation should address the persistent attacks against Nigerians in a frank manner.
He said the recurring violence, which Nigeria described as Afrophobia, threatens the longstanding relationship between Africa’s two largest economies.
Enikanolaiye recalled Nigeria’s immense support for South Africa’s liberation struggle against apartheid and the close partnership between both countries in transforming the Organisation of African Unity into the African Union, as well as advancing the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
He noted that xenophobic attacks had recurred over the years, with major incidents recorded in 1995, 1998, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2026.
According to him, official records show that 98 Nigerians have lost their lives in mob attacks and hate-related violence since 2022.
While stressing that Nigeria does not condone criminality, Enikanolaiye said suspected offenders should be arrested, prosecuted and punished through the judicial process rather than subjected to mob justice.
“Nigeria will not support drug traffickers or any criminal activity, but those accused of crimes must be treated in accordance with the rule of law, South Africa’s Constitution and international human rights standards,” he said.
The minister also questioned why security agencies had failed to prevent some of the attacks, noting that many of the victims were legally resident in South Africa.
He recalled the evacuation of nearly 1,500 Nigerians during previous waves of xenophobic violence, describing the experience as heartbreaking.
“I shed tears when I received the first batch of evacuees. I saw children, women and the elderly returning home with almost nothing after their properties had been looted and destroyed. That is not the Africa we want,” he said.
Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to cordial relations with South Africa, expressing optimism that both countries would strengthen dialogue, restore confidence and uphold the ideals of African solidarity.
Earlier, Lamola said President Ramaphosa sent him to Abuja to reaffirm the enduring friendship between both countries and engage the Nigerian government over concerns arising from attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s historic contribution to South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, saying the South African people remain grateful for the sacrifices made by Nigeria.
“We remain deeply indebted to the people of Nigeria for their sacrifice,” Lamola said.
He reiterated that the South African government remains firmly opposed to xenophobia, racism, discrimination, homophobia and all forms of intolerance.
The minister, however, maintained that South Africa has a sovereign responsibility to enforce its immigration laws and tackle irregular migration, drug trafficking, internet fraud and other criminal activities.
Lamola said migration has become a continental challenge requiring greater cooperation among African countries under the African Union’s framework for orderly and regular migration.
“We believe that Nigeria and South Africa have a shared responsibility to respond to these challenges within the African continent,” he said.
The meeting followed a telephone conversation between Presidents Tinubu and Ramaphosa over renewed concerns about the safety of Nigerians in South Africa and efforts to preserve one of Africa’s most significant bilateral relationships.
