Nigerians Urged to Stay Safe Amid Rising Xenophobia in S.Africa

The Nigerian Citizen Association South Africa (NICASA), led by Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, has raised alarms over escalating xenophobic protests in South Africa, which are increasingly targeting foreign-owned businesses.

In a statement made on Sunday, NICASA called on the Nigerian government to take decisive action to protect its citizens. The Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), represented by spokesperson Abdur Rahman Balogun, advised Nigerians in South Africa to close their businesses from April 27 to 29, coinciding with Freedom Day, due to anticipated violent protests in cities like East London, Cape Town, Durban, and KwaZulu-Natal.

The protests are reportedly aimed at pressuring the South African government regarding the presence of foreign nationals. NICASA condemned the rise in xenophobic aggression and called for immediate diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to ensure the safety and rights of Nigerians.

Former UN Human Rights Council President Martin Ihoeghian Uhomobhi also condemned the attacks and emphasized the need for the Nigerian government to act promptly.