Nigeria Confronts SA over Killings of 98 Citizens, Seeks End to Xenophobic Attacks
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
Nigeria has issued one of its strongest diplomatic protests yet over the recurring killing of its citizens in South Africa, revealing that at least 98 Nigerians have been killed since 2022 in mob attacks, hate crimes, and extra-judicial killings. Abuja demanded urgent action from Pretoria to halt the violence and bring perpetrators to justice.
The warning came during a meeting in Abuja between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola.
The talks, held on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, underscored the growing diplomatic concern over repeated attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa and signalled renewed efforts by both countries to prevent another deterioration in bilateral relations.
