Bola Tinubu has ordered Nigerian missions in South Africa to create emergency crisis notification units for Nigerians facing danger amid rising anti-foreigner protests.
The directive followed a phone conversation between Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and her South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, as tensions continue to spread across several South African cities.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigerians living in South Africa should quickly contact local security authorities whenever threats emerge. She stressed that the Federal Government would not ignore reports of harassment, humiliation, and alleged extra-judicial killings involving Nigerians.
The minister also defended Nigeria’s evacuation plan for citizens willing to return home. According to her, protecting Nigerian lives remains the government’s top priority during the crisis.
She further urged South African authorities to ensure that police and the justice system take attacks against Nigerians seriously. She demanded swift punishment for anyone responsible for violence or unlawful killings.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu warned that the campaign against foreigners appears largely directed at black Africans. She questioned whether the situation should now be described as “Afriphobia” instead of xenophobia.
The minister also revealed that Nigerian children and mixed Nigerian-South African children, known as “Sougerians,” are facing bullying in schools. Some reportedly endure insults and are told to “return to their country,” raising fears of emotional trauma.
Despite growing tensions, she praised Nigerians in South Africa for remaining calm and avoiding retaliation.
Violent protests linked to groups such as Operation Dudula have spread across Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and KwaZulu-Natal. At least 130 Nigerians have already registered for voluntary evacuation flights back to Nigeria.
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has also condemned the attacks and called for tougher action against South African interests operating in the country.
