Senate Demands Safety Guarantees As Xenophobic Attacks in S’ Africa Target Nigerians
* Lawmakers also demand arrest of killers of military officers
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
The Senate on Tuesday strongly condemned the renewed wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in the Republic of South Africa, directing the Federal Government to immediately secure written assurances from Pretoria on the safety of Nigerians while demanding the arrest and prosecution of those behind the violence.
The upper chamber also warned that Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to African solidarity should not be mistaken for weakness, insisting that the repeated intimidation, displacement, unlawful profiling and attacks on Nigerians had gone beyond immigration enforcement and now amounted to outright xenophobic hostility.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who lamented the renewed campaign of intimidation against Nigerians after anti-migrant groups in South Africa issued an ultimatum directing undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country by June 30, 2026.
Ekpenyong told the Senate that the expiration of the ultimatum had been followed by widespread reports of fear, demonstrations, displacement, violence and attacks on foreign-owned businesses and homes.
According to him, the intimidation had extended beyond undocumented migrants to Nigerians and other foreigners possessing valid residence, work and immigration permits.
He said: “Many have reportedly been threatened, profiled, evicted or harassed by unauthorized vigilante groups. The indiscriminate targeting of foreign nationals, including lawful residents, demonstrates that this campaign goes beyond immigration enforcement and amounts to xenophobic hostility based on nationality and perceived foreign origin.”
The lawmaker reminded the Senate that Nigeria stood firmly behind South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle, providing diplomatic, financial and material support to the liberation movement and campaigning for the release of Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners.
He also recalled that under former military Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria hosted the World Conference for Action Against Apartheid in Lagos in 1977 and took significant economic measures against commercial interests linked to the apartheid regime.
Ekpenyong further observed that while Nigerian-owned businesses in South Africa had been attacked, looted, closed or abandoned under threats, South African companies operating in Nigeria continued to conduct their businesses peacefully and lawfully.
He said: “Nigeria has consistently chosen the path of diplomacy, African brotherhood and respect for the rule of law by rejecting reprisals against South African nationals and businesses operating in Nigeria.
“However, subsequent developments, including the voluntary repatriation of Nigerians and the expiration of the June 30 ultimatum, indicate that previous interventions have not provided adequate protection or a lasting solution.”
Supporting the motion, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno described the recurring attacks as an unfortunate cycle that resurfaced every one or two years.
He argued that Nigeria’s foreign policy must become citizen-centred, with the protection of Nigerians abroad serving as its overriding objective.
According to him, “Safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians anywhere in the world is a constitutional obligation of government and the essence of the social contract between the state and its citizens.”
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu recalled Nigeria’s enormous sacrifices in the struggle against apartheid and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for facilitating the evacuation of Nigerians willing to return home.
While urging sustained diplomatic engagement with South Africa, Kalu insisted that Nigerians whose businesses and properties were destroyed deserved compensation.
He said Nigeria should continue to engage the international community rather than resort to retaliatory measures.
Senator Abdul Ningi argued that Nigeria’s foreign policy should place Nigerians at its centre.
He lamented that repeated appeals for restraint had failed to halt the killings and displacement of Nigerians in South Africa.
According to him, “While diplomatic caution has its place, the government must demonstrate that it is prepared to protect Nigerians wherever they reside.”
Ningi suggested that Nigeria should consider severing diplomatic relations with South Africa should the attacks persist.
However, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi urged caution against adopting punitive measures.
Drawing from his experience during the anti-apartheid struggle, Abdullahi argued that the attacks might be linked to South Africa’s internal political contest and attempts by competing interests to weaken the governing African National Congress.
He advised the Senate to allow its Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate the situation before recommending retaliatory actions.
Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said Abdullahi’s intervention had introduced an important dimension deserving careful consideration.
He urged restraint and directed the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate developments in South Africa and submit a comprehensive report within two legislative weeks.
Akpabio also appealed to senators seeking the nationalisation of South African businesses or the severance of diplomatic relations to suspend such proposals pending the committee’s report.
The Senate subsequently adopted the substantive prayers of the motion by urging the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, to obtain written assurances from the South African government on the protection of Nigerians.
The Senate then demanded the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of the attacks, strengthened emergency consular services and established a verified register of affected Nigerians for legal redress, restitution and compensation.
The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to work with other African countries and the African Union to establish an early warning and accountability mechanism against xenophobic violence.
In a separate motion, the Senate expressed deep concern over the growing attacks, abductions and killings of serving and retired military personnel, describing the trend as a serious threat to national security and state authority.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, drew attention to the recent death in captivity of retired Major General Rabiu Abubakar after he was abducted by bandits in Katsina State.
Lawmakers observed a minute’s silence in honour of the late general and other victims of terrorism before resolving to send a Senate delegation to condole with his family, the Katsina State Government and the Nigerian Army.
The Senate further directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible for Abubakar’s killing, strengthen intelligence gathering, intelligence sharing, and surveillance and early warning systems.
They demanded deepening collaboration with communities, traditional rulers and religious leaders and accelerate the deployment of modern security technology to combat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
It also resolved to send a high-powered delegation led by the Senate leadership to brief President Tinubu on the deteriorating security situation across the country.
Akpabio commended members of the Armed Forces for their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism but acknowledged that much more needed to be done.
He charged the Senate Committees on Defence and the Armed Forces to intensify oversight of the military and other security agencies to ensure greater effectiveness in confronting the nation’s worsening insecurity.