- Senate Moves To Hold South Africa Accountable Over Attacks On Nigerians
- Senators urged the Federal Government to engage South African authorities and obtain firm guarantees for the protection of Nigerians
- Mustapha further suggested that Nigeria should consider severing diplomatic ties with South Africa if the attacks continue
The Senate has warned that Nigeria may reconsider its diplomatic relationship with South Africa if renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians persist.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the warning followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong over an alleged June 30, 2026 ultimatum issued to Nigerians residing in South Africa.
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During Tuesday’s plenary, lawmakers described the reported attacks on Nigerians and their businesses as a serious threat to the safety and livelihoods of citizens living in the country.
Senators urged the Federal Government to engage South African authorities and obtain firm guarantees for the protection of Nigerians.
Speaking during the debate, Senator Salihu Mustapha called for a tougher response, insisting that Nigeria should no longer remain silent while its citizens are attacked.
“We cannot continue to fold our arms while Nigerians are being killed and their businesses looted,” he said.
Mustapha further suggested that Nigeria should consider severing diplomatic ties with South Africa if the attacks continue.
However, former Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, cautioned against taking immediate drastic measures. He argued that the attacks may be part of a broader attempt to destabilise South Africa’s government rather than isolated incidents targeting Nigerians.
“This is a coordinated effort to destabilise the government of South Africa and to remove the ruling party, the ANC, from office,” Abdullahi said, urging Nigeria to tread carefully in handling the situation.
Following deliberations, the Senate directed the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, to secure written assurances from the South African government on the safety of Nigerians. Lawmakers also demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.
The Senate further instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and the Nigerian High Commission to document cases involving Nigerians who were killed, injured, displaced, unlawfully detained, or whose properties were destroyed, with a view to pursuing compensation.
In addition, lawmakers called on the Federal Government to work with the African Union and other affected African countries to establish an early warning and accountability mechanism to prevent future xenophobic attacks.
The Senate also mandated its Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs to review the implementation of previous resolutions on xenophobic attacks and report back within two legislative weeks.
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