The Nigerian Government says it will leave no stone unturned to protect Nigerian citizens anywhere around the world,
including South Africa where they have been subjected to repeated xenophobic attacks with terrible consequences that
include loss of lives and property
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, told a news conference on Thursday in Abuja that President Muhammadu Buhari has dispatched a special envoy to meet with his South African counterpart, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, while Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey has summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria.
He said that Nigeria is recalling its High Commissioner to South Africa, in addition to boycotting the World Economic Forum on Africa taking place in South Africa.
“The Government is also ready to evacuate Nigerians willing to return home from South Africa, in addition to other measures being considered to decisively tackle this cankerworm of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
“We appeal to Nigerians, who are angered by the xenophobic attacks on their compatriots in South Africa not to engage in reprisal attacks, because such attacks hurt our own people more.
“We also want Nigerians to know that wrong videos and disinformation are being circulated on social media to inflame passion and distort the plight of Nigerians in South Africa,” he said.
The minister urged Nigerians to be wary of the purveyors of these wrong videos.
“We strongly warn hoodlums who may wish to hide under the peaceful protests by Nigerians to loot, maim and kill that the security agencies will apprehend and bring them to justice. And to opinion leaders, we ask that they be guarded in their comments,” the minister said.
GIK/APA