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The South African government has said it will not compensate Nigerian nationals who abandoned properties during recent anti-immigration protests, insisting that losses arising from individuals leaving the country are not the responsibility of the state.

Speaking on the issue, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, stated that Nigerians who legally own property in the country remain free to dispose of their assets through established legal processes.

However, she stressed that the government would not compensate anyone for financial losses resulting from their decision to leave South Africa.

She further clarified that informal settlements or properties occupied without legal ownership do not qualify for any form of compensation under South African law.

The statement comes amid ongoing diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and South Africa following reports that some Nigerians fled the country after anti-immigration protests and left behind homes, businesses, and other investments.

The Nigerian government has been seeking protection for its citizens and their investments in South Africa following repeated incidents of xenophobic violence over the years.

Nigerian authorities have consistently urged South Africa to ensure the safety of Nigerians living and doing business there, investigate attacks on foreign nationals, prosecute those responsible, and provide appropriate compensation where citizens suffered verified losses due to violence or destruction of property.

In the latest discussions, Nigeria is reportedly pursuing compensation for assets allegedly abandoned by some of its citizens who left South Africa during recent anti-immigration unrest, arguing that affected individuals should receive redress where their losses resulted from attacks or insecurity.

South Africa, however, maintains that compensation cannot be granted simply because individuals chose to leave the country.

According to Minister Ntshavheni, owners of legally acquired property still retain their ownership rights and may sell or transfer such assets through normal legal channels.

The government argues that there is no legal basis for compensating people for losses associated with relocation.

The South African government also drew a distinction between legally owned assets and properties occupied informally or without legal title, stating that only legally recognized ownership carries enforceable property rights.

Relations between Nigeria and South Africa have periodically been strained by outbreaks of xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians.

Since the late 2000s, several waves of attacks on migrants have resulted in deaths, injuries, looting of businesses, and destruction of property, prompting diplomatic protests from Nigeria and other African countries.

Successive Nigerian administrations have called on South Africa to strengthen the protection of foreign nationals, while South African authorities have condemned xenophobic attacks and pledged to uphold the rule of law.

Both countries have continued to engage through diplomatic channels to address the safety of migrants and bilateral concerns, even as disagreements remain over compensation and responsibility for losses suffered during periods of unrest.

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has drawn attention to a fraudulent scheme orchestrated by criminal elements and scammers targeting unsuspecting members of the public.

The fraudsters have been found using the names of top NDLEA officials, most notably the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to issue fake private letters and messages offering cheap forfeited vehicles for sale on auction.

The public is hereby notified that these offers are a complete scam. The Agency wishes to categorically state that these fraudulent offers are a malicious gimmick designed solely to defraud targeted individuals of their hard-earned money.

No official of the Agency has the mandate to privately offer, allocate, or sell forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals. Vehicles and other assets forfeited as proceeds of drug crimes are strictly auctioned through public processes managed by appointed, government-registered auctioneers. Any legitimate auction exercise is widely publicized in national dailies and through the Agency’s official channels, in line with established legal and public procurement guidelines.

Members of the public are strongly urged to discountenance, ignore, and report any such private letters, text messages, or social media offers claiming to originate from Barrister Shadrach Haruna or any other NDLEA official.

The NDLEA remains committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in all its operations. Do not fall victim to these criminal elements. If you are approached with such fraudulent offers, please report immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or via our official communication channels.

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Nafiu Gombe has picked Professor Chris Uba as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The party disowned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its flag bearer.

The group said the party had already completed its presidential nomination process in line with its constitution and the Electoral Act, adding that Uba emerged as the recognized candidate after all required procedures were concluded.

The faction also disowned the National Working Committee headed by former Senate President David Mark, saying it has no constitutional or legal authority to act on behalf of the party.

It maintained that the recognized leadership of the ADC remains in charge of the party’s affairs.

According to the statement released on Wednesday, the clarification became necessary to stop attempts to create confusion about the party’s position ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group said the ADC had not entered into any alliance, merger or coalition with any political party.

added that the party remains independent and intends to contest the elections with its own structure, manifesto and leadership.

The faction said it believes Uba has the experience, character and capacity to lead the country if elected in 2027.

It also warned Atiku against presenting himself as the ADC’s presidential candidate, saying such a claim is false and could mislead party members and the public.

The group added that the ADC would not allow its platform to be used by politicians pursuing personal ambitions or by coalition groups seeking to take over the party’s structure.

It said every constitutional and legal step would be taken to protect the party from what it described as unauthorised use of its name and platform.

The faction also dismissed reports suggesting that there were plans to stop the ADC from participating in the 2027 elections, expressing confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission and the country’s electoral process.

It said the party is preparing to present candidates for the presidency, governorships, National Assembly, state assemblies and local government elections across the country.