Nigeria has urged South Africa to take stronger action to stop recurring xenophobic attacks that have targeted Nigerians and other African migrants, saying the violence is straining diplomatic relations and raising concerns about possible police complicity. The call came during talks in Abuja with a South African delegation led by Ronald Lamola, ordered by President Bola Tinubu. Nigerian officials say 1,490 nationals have been evacuated since the latest surge and that 98 Nigerians have been killed since 2022. Abuja insists suspects must face due process rather than mob violence.
Nigeria Demands Action as Xenophobic Violence Escalates in South Africa, Questions State Response
Supporters of the South African anti-immigrant group 'March and March' hold a demonstration, after an unofficial June 30 deadline set by anti-immigrant groups for undocumented migrants to leave the country had passed, in Umzimkhulu, South Africa, July 13, 2026. REUTERS/Rogan Ward
ABUJA, July 27 (Reuters) - Nigeria on Monday pressed South Africa to take stronger, immediate steps to prevent recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African migrants, saying the violence is straining diplomatic ties and raising concerns about possible state complicity.
The appeal came during talks in Abuja between Nigerian officials and a South African delegation led by Special Envoy and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola. President Bola Tinubu ordered the meeting, Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, said.
What Nigerian Officials Say
Enikanolaiye said Abuja convened the talks to address persistent "Afrophobic attacks" against Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa. He noted a worrying pattern of violence that stretches back decades and pointed to documented cases in which law enforcement appeared unwilling to intervene.
"We have seen a pattern that has become a concern to the Nigerian government," Enikanolaiye said, adding that at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in xenophobic incidents since 2022.
He also said that not only suspected criminals but also migrants legally resident in South Africa have been targeted. Nigerian authorities reported that at least 1,490 Nigerians have been evacuated since the latest outbreak of violence.
South Africa's Response
Lamola told the meeting that President Cyril Ramaphosa's government is firmly opposed to xenophobia, racism and discrimination. He reiterated that the South African administration condemns mob violence and supports lawful action against criminal behavior.
In recent months, vigilante groups in South Africa have attacked foreign nationals and looted migrant-owned shops amid public frustration that blames immigrants for problems such as crime and unemployment. At least four people were reported killed in the most recent wave of attacks, and protest marches last month demanded that undocumented migrants leave several cities.
Calls For Due Process
Enikanolaiye emphasized that while Nigeria does not condone criminal activity by its citizens abroad, suspects should be subject to arrest and prosecution rather than extrajudicial violence. "If there are criminals, the solution is not to kill them. Get them arrested, prosecuted," he said.
As Africa's most industrialised economy, South Africa attracts migrants from Nigeria and other countries including Ghana, Mozambique and Malawi. Nigerian officials said they would continue to press for stronger protections for their nationals and for clearer, faster cooperation between the two governments to prevent further attacks.
(Reporting by Camillus Eboh in Abuja; Writing by Ilisha Bala-Gbogbo; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
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