The House of Representatives on Thursday called on the Federal Government to impose strong diplomatic measures against South Africa over renewed xenophobic attacks, extrajudicial killings and the alleged systematic persecution of Nigerians and other African nationals residing in the country.
This comes as 282 Nigerians arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, from South Africa, in the fourth evacuation flight operated by Air Peace.
According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, Kimiebi Ebienfa, 282 Nigerians, including 12 infants, arrived aboard an Air Peace flight at about 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The House resolution for strong diplomatic measures followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Kanke/Kanam/Pankshin Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Yusuf Gagdi.
The motion received unanimous support during plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Moving the motion, Gagdi said Nigeria could no longer remain silent in the face of repeated attacks on its citizens despite years of diplomatic engagements with South Africa.
He said, “The House is aware that the Republic of South Africa has, over the years, witnessed repeated waves of xenophobic violence directed against Nigerians and other African nationals, resulting in the loss of innocent lives, destruction of businesses, unlawful arrests, forced displacement and widespread fear.”
He added, “Recent reports indicate a fresh escalation of attacks targeting Nigerians, Ghanaians, Zimbabweans, Zambians, Mozambicans, Malawians and other African nationals lawfully residing in South Africa.”
The lawmaker further stated that, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed the recent killing of two Nigerian citizens, including one who reportedly died while in police custody and another who was brutally murdered in front of his business premises.”
According to him, “These tragic incidents have once again exposed Nigerians and other Africans to grave danger despite repeated diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and South Africa.”
Recalling Nigeria’s leading role in the struggle against apartheid, Gagdi said the treatment being meted out to Nigerians in South Africa was both unfortunate and unacceptable.
According to him, “Nigeria was one of the foremost nations that stood firmly against apartheid through diplomatic leadership, huge financial support, humanitarian assistance and sustained political pressure that contributed immensely to the liberation of South Africa.
“Thousands of Nigerians made sacrifices, while successive Nigerian governments committed enormous national resources in support of the anti-apartheid struggle, believing in the ideals of African solidarity, justice and freedom.
“It is, therefore, profoundly disturbing that Nigerians and other Africans now face persecution, humiliation and violent attacks in a country whose freedom they helped secure.”
He expressed concern that “Xenophobic violence has become recurrent, systematic and increasingly deadly.”
He noted that, “The repeated attacks have continued despite previous assurances by the Government of South Africa that adequate measures would be taken to guarantee the safety of foreign nationals.”
He further lamented that, “Innocent Africans continue to lose their lives while criminal perpetrators often escape justice, thereby encouraging impunity.”
Gagdi also criticised comments allegedly made by a South African junior minister, saying, “Any inflammatory or hateful public statement capable of inciting hostility against Nigerians or other African nationals as presented by the South African Junior Minister is irresponsible, unacceptable and capable of aggravating an already volatile security situation.”
He warned that, “The continued attacks undermine the ideals of African unity, pan-Africanism, regional integration and peaceful coexistence upon which the African Union was founded.”
The lawmaker further cautioned that failure to decisively address the recurring attacks could further endanger the lives and property of Nigerians in South Africa, adding that the continued inaction of the South African government “may embolden perpetrators and weaken confidence in regional institutions established to protect African citizens.”
Contributing to the debate, Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo) urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic engagement with South Africa to halt the attacks.
“Some measures must be taken to address this problem. We are worried that despite the engagement between our government and that of South Africa, the xenophobic attacks have continued, with the South African security architecture looking away.
“The blood of our innocent citizens is in the hands of these security personnel,” he said.
Lagos lawmaker, Moshood Akiolu, recalled Nigeria’s sacrifices during the anti-apartheid struggle.
“The money we spent to put an end to apartheid could have been used for something else,” he said, while calling on the National Assembly to invite officials of the South African High Commission in Nigeria to explain measures being taken to protect Nigerians.
Also speaking, Ghali Tijjani from Kano advocated tougher measures against Pretoria.
“The attacks against Nigerians did not start today. We cannot keep maintaining diplomatic and economic ties with a country that is doing nothing to stop the killing of Nigerians in its territory,” he said.
Adebayo Adepoju, representing Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency of Oyo State, called for legal redress and support for affected Nigerians.