The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa has appealed to the Federal Government and African leaders to intervene and halt what it described as persistent xenophobic attacks by South Africans against other Africans in the country.
NICASA President, Frank Onyekwelu, made the appeal in a statement on Monday, following what he described as incessant harassment, intimidation, and the killing of foreign nationals in South Africa.
Onyekwelu expressed concern over reported cases of targeted harassment and alleged police brutality against Nigerian citizens and other African nationals in South Africa.
According to him, the spate of violent incidents requires urgent intervention to prevent further escalation.
He called on President Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders overseeing the affairs of Nigerians abroad to intervene promptly to halt the attacks.
Onyekwelu said, “We are alarmed by the increasing normalisation of hostility, manifested through inflammatory rhetorics by certain political actors, unlawful intimidation, and discriminatory enforcement practices by some law enforcement personnel.
“These actions not only undermine human dignity, but also threaten the long-standing bonds of African solidarity.
“On behalf of the Nigerian community, I appeal to President Tinubu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives to act with urgency, firmness, and strategic diplomacy in tackling these developments.”
The NICASA president stressed that the protection of Nigerian citizens abroad is not optional but a constitutional and moral obligation.
He said silence or delayed responses could reinforce a dangerous and false narrative that Nigerians in the diaspora are abandoned by their government.
He also called for high-level diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to ensure the protection of lives, businesses, and the rights of Nigerians.
Onyekwelu suggested the establishment of a transparent mechanism for reporting, documenting, and addressing cases of abuse, harassment, and xenophobic violence.
He also called for accountability for law enforcement officers found culpable in acts of brutality or discrimination in the host country.
According to him, this would serve as a deterrent and ensure the safety and welfare of citizens abroad.
“Nigerians in South Africa are law-abiding, economically contributing, and socially integrated members of society. The reckless stereotyping and collective criminalisation of our people must stop.
“The clear efforts and community intervention of the Nigerian Consul-General, Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, has lightened up hope and shown that we still have a concerned and committed mission whose efforts and actions need more governmental backing.
“NICASA reiterates its commitment to peace, lawful conduct, and constructive engagement within our host nation. We urge compatriots to remain calm, vigilant, and compliant with the laws of South Africa, while we pursue diplomatic and institutional remedies,” he said.
He further said: “We also urge all African leaders to work closely together in ending the current trend of intra-African hostility that is unacceptable and unsustainable.
“We call for a united continental response through the African Union and regional blocs to confront and dismantle the structures, narratives, and policies that fuel this growing intolerance.”
According to him, Africa cannot rise while Africans are divided against themselves, adding that xenophobia is a direct contradiction of the vision of continental integration and shared prosperity.
He stressed that Africa’s unity is not just a slogan but a necessity, adding that peaceful coexistence across the continent is a shared responsibility.
“NICASA remains resolute in advocating for justice, dignity, and the protection of every Nigerian in the diaspora,” he added.
