Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called on Nigerians residing in South Africa to remain vigilant and comply with safety advisories issued by Nigerian diplomatic authorities, following a surge in anti-foreigner protests across parts of the country.
According to a statement issued by the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of the Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the appeal came in response to an official circular released by the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, which warned of escalating demonstrations that have turned violent in cities including East London, Cape Town, Durban, and across KwaZulu-Natal.
Reports indicate incidents of looting, destruction of property, and injuries linked to the unrest.
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According to intelligence cited in the consulate’s advisory, additional protests are expected to take place in Gauteng Province between April 27 and 29, with demonstrators seeking to pressure the South African government on the presence of foreign nationals.
Avoid Confrontations
In light of these developments, NiDCOM urged Nigerian citizens to avoid confrontations, steer clear of protest areas, and stay informed through credible local media channels.
The Commission also emphasised the importance of remaining law-abiding at all times.
Businesses are often Targeted
Nigerian business owners were specifically advised to take precautionary measures by shutting down operations on Freedom Day, and to consider remaining closed through April 28 and 29, noting that foreign-owned businesses are often targeted during such unrest.
NiDCOM reaffirmed its support for the Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ambassador Ninikanwa O. Okey-Uche, stating that the mission remains fully operational and is working closely with South African security agencies to ensure the safety of Nigerian nationals.
The Commission also said that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, is actively engaging with her South African counterpart as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the situation.