The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs, Ademola Oshodi, has warned that Nigeria will not tolerate continued attacks on its citizens in South Africa, urging the South African government to take decisive steps to protect foreign nationals.
Oshodi made the remarks while speaking on the international news segment of Al Jazeera, where he stressed that Nigeria had repeatedly raised concerns over attacks targeting its citizens.
“As I mentioned in the international news segment of Al Jazeera, Nigeria will not tolerate violence against its nationals. We have given South Africa enough warning,” he said.
He called on the South African authorities to investigate every reported attack, protect Nigerian communities, restrain vigilante groups, prosecute offenders and activate the Nigeria–South Africa Early Warning Mechanism without further delay.
According to him, while South Africa has the sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, such responsibilities must be carried out through lawful state institutions and not by mobs, vigilante groups or political movements targeting foreign nationals.
“No African should be attacked, threatened, denied healthcare, pushed out of business or humiliated because of where they come from,” Oshodi said.
The presidential aide also expressed concern over challenges confronting the African continent, including coups, xenophobia, weak border cooperation, colonial-era divisions and dependence on external powers.
He said Africa’s priorities should instead focus on protecting lives, strengthening democracy, enhancing security cooperation, promoting lawful movement across the continent and pursuing African-led solutions financed by Africans.
Oshodi further recalled Nigeria’s support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle, saying the longstanding relationship between both countries should not prevent Nigeria from speaking out when the lives of its citizens are under threat.
“Nigeria stood with South Africa during the struggle against apartheid. That history carries weight. But friendship cannot mean silence when Nigerian lives are at risk,” he said.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
