The Federal Government has called on the African Union (AU) to intervene in the renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other nationals in South Africa.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, made the call in Abuja on Monday.
Dabiri-Erewa also called on the South African Government to take decisive measures to protect Nigerians and others in the country.
She described the renewed attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa as a setback.
“The Nigerian Community in South Africa led by Mr Ikechukwu Anyene confirmed the attacks and looting of Nigerian-owned businesses in Pretoria West on Saturday.
“The union has 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,” Dabiri Erewa quoted Anyene as saying.
Dabiri-Erewa, however, urged Nigerians in South Africa to exercise restraint and warned that further attacks on Nigerians without any reprimand would not be tolerated.
She said that the attention of the AU was being called to intervene because information had it that there would be another xenophobic attack against foreigners on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23.
“These attacks should not be allowed to continue because it is a big setback,” she said.
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.(NAN)
IAA/MO
