Nigeria Threatens Diplomatic Response as Xenophobic Attacks Escalate in South Africa, Evacuation of Citizens Begins

The Federal Government has warned that it may take retaliatory diplomatic measures against South Africa as fresh xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants intensify, prompting plans to evacuate affected citizens from the country.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, issued the warning on Monday after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

She said Nigeria is deeply concerned by reports of increasing hostility towards foreign nationals ahead of a June 30 deadline reportedly issued by anti-immigrant groups in South Africa, stressing that the government is closely monitoring the situation.

According to the minister, President Tinubu has directed that evacuation arrangements for Nigerians wishing to return home be expedited, with documentation for many affected citizens already completed.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu rejected claims that Nigerians targeted in the attacks are undocumented migrants, insisting that many are legitimate residents who have lived, worked, studied, and invested in South Africa for years.

She disclosed that the number of Nigerians seeking assistance to return home continues to rise, with many stranded in different provinces and requiring transportation support to processing centres in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

The minister expressed disappointment with what she described as South Africa’s inadequate response to the crisis, alleging that Nigerian-owned businesses have been looted and set ablaze while children of affected families are being intimidated and prevented from attending school.

“Nigeria cannot remain silent while its citizens are subjected to attacks, intimidation, and destruction of their means of livelihood,” she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that while the Federal Government remains committed to diplomatic engagement, all options remain under consideration should the situation deteriorate further.

The latest wave of attacks has renewed concerns over recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals have repeatedly faced threats, assaults, and property destruction despite previous diplomatic interventions by African governments.

As evacuation preparations continue, Nigerian authorities say they are working through diplomatic channels to ensure the safety of citizens while pressing South African authorities to take stronger action against perpetrators.

The development is expected to test relations between Africa’s two largest economies, with observers warning that failure to curb the attacks could trigger a broader diplomatic dispute between Abuja and Pretoria.