The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called on the government of South Africa to urgently protect Nigerians and other black immigrants following renewed reports of xenophobic violence.
In a statement released on Wednesday, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed concern that the situation is worsening despite earlier diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions.
She noted that instead of improvement, conditions on the ground have deteriorated, with reports indicating that children of Nigerian descent are increasingly afraid to attend school, while many business owners have shut down operations due to fear of looting, harassment, and targeted attacks.
According to the commission, community leaders have documented fresh incidents of violence and intimidation within the last 72 hours, raising alarm about the safety of foreign nationals.
NiDCOM urged South African authorities to take immediate and visible action, including boosting security presence in affected areas and ensuring the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks. It also called for the creation of a joint Nigeria–South Africa safety forum involving law enforcement agencies, government officials, and diaspora representatives.
The commission strongly rejected the profiling of Nigerians, emphasizing that criminal acts should be treated on an individual basis rather than used to stigmatize an entire nationality.
“Crime has no nationality,” Dabiri-Erewa stated, warning that collective blame and stereotyping are dangerous and unacceptable.
While advising Nigerians in South Africa to remain law-abiding and avoid high-risk areas—especially at night—NiDCOM confirmed it is working closely with Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, including the High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate in Johannesburg, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Despite the tensions, the commission acknowledged that many South Africans continue to coexist peacefully with other African nationals and reaffirmed the longstanding diplomatic and cultural ties between both countries.
NiDCOM added that Nigeria will continue diplomatic engagements to ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of its citizens living abroad.
