Nigeria Issues Claims Forms for South Africa Attack Victims

On Tuesday, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced it is issuing claims forms to Nigerians who suffered property losses during recent attacks in South Africa. This initiative is part of preparations to formally document these losses for compensation claims in ongoing diplomatic negotiations with the South African Government.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, disclosed this after briefing President Bola Tinubu on a meeting with South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Roland Lamola, who visited Abuja as a special envoy of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Enikanolaiye emphasized the need for data on the losses to proceed with claims, stating that the engagement with South Africa is ongoing.

He noted that President Tinubu framed the violence as Afrophobic, indicating it targets Black Africans specifically. Approximately 1,490 Nigerians have been evacuated from South Africa, with some evacuation efforts funded by private individuals.

The South African side agreed to activate an early warning mechanism and reinvigorate the Bi-National Commission during the meeting.