The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) has urged the Nigerian government and African leaders to take immediate action to curb ongoing xenophobic attacks against Africans in South Africa.
NICASA President Frank Onyekwelu made the call in a statement on Monday, citing persistent harassment, intimidation, and the killing of foreign nationals.
He raised concerns over targeted abuse and reported cases of police brutality against Nigerians and other African nationals, warning that the rising violence requires urgent intervention to prevent further escalation.
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Onyekwelu also appealed to Bola Tinubu and relevant authorities responsible for Nigerians in the diaspora to act swiftly to halt the attacks.
Onyekwelu said, “We are alarmed by the increasing normalisation of hostility, manifested through inflammatory rhetorics by certain political actors, unlawful intimidation, and discriminatory enforcement practices by some law enforcement personnel.
“These actions not only undermine human dignity but also threaten the long-standing bonds of African solidarity.
“On behalf of the Nigerian community, I appeal to President Tinubu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives to act with urgency, firmness, and strategic diplomacy in tackling these developments.”
The NICASA president stressed that the protection of Nigerian citizens abroad is not optional but a constitutional and moral obligation.
According to him, silence or delayed responses only reinforces the dangerous and false narrative that Nigerians in the diaspora are abandoned by their own government.
He underscored the need for high-level diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to ensure the protection of lives, businesses, and the rights of Nigerians.
Onyekwelu also suggested the establishment of a transparent mechanism for reporting, documenting, and addressing cases of abuse, harassment, and xenophobic violence.
He said there should also be accountability for any law enforcement officers found culpable in acts of brutality or discrimination in the host country.
This, he suggested, would serve as a deterrent and ensure the safety and welfare of citizens globally.
“Nigerians in South Africa are law-abiding, economically contributing, and socially integrated members of society. The reckless stereotyping and collective criminalisation of our people must stop.
“The clear efforts and community intervention of the Nigerian Consul-General, Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, have lightened up hope and shown that we still have a concerned and committed mission whose efforts and actions need more governmental backing.
“NICASA reiterates its commitment to peace, lawful conduct, and constructive engagement within our host nation. We urge compatriots to remain calm, vigilant, and compliant with the laws of South Africa while we pursue diplomatic and institutional remedies,” he said.
He further said: “We also urge all African leaders to work closely together in ending the current trend of intra-African hostility that is unacceptable and unsustainable.
“We call for a united continental response through the African Union and regional blocs to confront and dismantle the structures, narratives, and policies that fuel this growing intolerance.”
According to him, Africa cannot rise while Africans are divided against themselves, adding that xenophobia is a direct contradiction of the vision of continental integration and shared prosperity.
He stressed that Africa’s unity is not just a slogan but one of necessity and that the need for peaceful coexistence across the continent is not optional but one of shared responsibility.
NAN