In the wake of renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, has called on the South African government to take decisive and definitive measures to protect Nigerians and other Africans in the country.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the attacks as an unnecessary setback, and also called on the African Union to intervene.
Dabiri-Erewa said the attention of the AU was being called to intervene because information had it that there will be another xenophobic attacks against foreigners on February 22 and 23.
“These attacks should not be allowed to continue because it is a big setback,” she said.
On Saturday, the Nigerian Community in South Africa led by Mr Ikechukwu Anyene confirmed that there have been new attacks and looting of Nigerian-owned businesses in Pretoria West.
Anyene said that the union had reported the incident to the Nigeria mission and South African police.
“As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian businesses, including a church have been looted and burned by South Africans,” he said.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has now advised Nigerians to be extra cautious as it looks as if the situation was still out of the control of the South African government.
It will be recalled that Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa had two weeks ago met with South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr Lulu Aaron-Mnguni on the killing of Nigerians in South Africa.
Mr Aaron-Mnguni then promised that the South African government was investigating the matter.
“We have lost about 116 Nigerians in the last two years. And in 2016 alone, about 20 were killed, this is unacceptable to the people and Government of Nigeria”, Dabiri-Erewa said.
