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The Senate has mandated its Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate the renewed wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa and report back within two weeks to guide the Federal Government on appropriate diplomatic and policy responses.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South), during which lawmakers unanimously condemned the attacks that have claimed lives and destroyed properties of many Nigerians.

The debate, which took place on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, became intense as several senators advocated tougher measures against South Africa, with Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) calling on President Bola Tinubu to begin the process of severing diplomatic ties with the country should the attacks continue.

“We can’t pretend those killed are not Nigerians. We are representing Nigerians. When we say caution, what do we mean by that? We can’t be condemning and not doing anything.

“The centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy has to change. Let’s sever relations with South Africa. Enough is enough. Silence is no longer golden,” Senator Ningi said.

He stated that over 1,200 Nigerians were being repatriated from South Africa and argued that Nigeria’s foreign policy should be reassessed. His prayer was, however, turned down.

Also contributing to the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) proposed that Nigeria should appropriate the profits of South African companies operating in the country, including financial institutions, and use them to fund and compensate Nigerian victims of xenophobic attacks.

“We can’t allow our people to suffer while South African investment and profit are being taken away here; the facts are self-evident. We don’t need further investigation,” the former Edo governor said.

However, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, urged lawmakers to exercise restraint pending the outcome of the committee’s investigation.

“Let the committee on foreign affairs investigate first. Nigeria leads Africa. We need to lead by example. Once we have well-informed facts, we can take action. If this report is not satisfactory to this chamber, then we will take the line you were taking,” he said.
Following Barau’s intervention, Senator Ningi agreed to withdraw his proposal for the immediate severance of diplomatic relations but insisted that the Senate records should reflect that the motion had been formally moved and seconded.
At the end of the debate, the Senate directed its committee on foreign affairs to investigate the recurring xenophobic attacks and submit its report within two weeks.

This is to enable the Senate to recommend appropriate actions for the Federal Government in addressing the situation.
FG Threatens Action

Their action followed a renewed wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa. A June 30 deadline was issued to undocumented and illegal immigrants by groups in the country.

This has led to protests marked by looting, with several foreigners of African origin killed in the
Since then, several countries in Africa, including Nigeria, have begun the repatriation of their citizens who feel unsafe in South Africa.

On Sunday, the Federal Government warned that it could activate unspecified measures if the attacks and targeting of Nigerians continue.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the killing of two Nigerians in South Africa, saying the incident occurred at a time when foreigners were increasingly being targeted in South Africa, raising concerns over deliberate attempts to wrongly portray law-abiding Nigerians as criminals.

It placed South Africa on notice, warning that if the situation persists, “all options remain on the table”, with some to be activated if what it described as the country’s “uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour against foreigners” is not addressed.

“Therefore, the systematic targeting of Nigerian nationals who are legally residing in South Africa is not acceptable, and their safety should be guaranteed,” the statement read in part.