The Federal Government has spoken in loud and unambiguous terms to South Africa.

It told South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, in Abuja yesterday that 98 Nigerians have been killed in the past four years and therefore must stop.

Lamola was dispatched by President Cyril Ramaphosa as a Special Envoy to Abuja for fence-mending following the recurring attacks by South Africans on foreign nationals, including Nigerians.

Over 1,500 Nigerians have been evacuated by the Federal Government from the former apartheid enclave.

The special envoy delivered a message from Ramaphosa to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before meeting with top officials led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.

Enikanolaiye told Lamola and other South African officials that President Tinubu directed the meeting to address what he described as persistent “Afrophobic attacks” targeting Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa in a frank manner.

“We have seen a pattern that has become a concern to the Nigerian government,” Ambassador Enikanolaiye said, citing outbreaks of anti-migrant violence dating to 1995, with official records indicating that 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related attacks in the Rainbow country since 2022

The Minister, who said that Pretoria needed to take urgent and concrete steps to halt the attacks, warned that they threaten decades of strategic partnership between Africa’s two largest economies.

Enikanolaiye recalled the evacuation of many Nigerians during the recent attacks, describing the experience as emotionally traumatising.

“I shed tears when I received the first batch of evacuees. I saw children, women and the elderly returning home with almost nothing after their properties had been looted and destroyed. That is not the Africa we want,” he said.

The Minister told the South African delegations that many of the victims were legal residents and questioned the failure of their security agencies to intervene during some of the attacks.

Such incidents, according to him, raise concerns about state responsibility and the safety of foreigners.

While reiterating that Nigeria does not condone criminality, Enikanolaiye told the South African delegation that anyone accused of crimes should be arrested, prosecuted and punished through the judicial process rather than subjected to mob justice.

“Nigeria will not support drug traffickers or any criminal activity, but those accused of crimes must be treated in accordance with the rule of law, South Africa’s Constitution and international human rights standards,” the Minister said.

He recalled Nigeria’s support for South Africa’s liberation from apartheid and the close collaboration between both countries in transforming the Organisation of African Unity (OAU into the African Union (AU), as well as advancing the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

Enikanolaiye, however, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining cordial relations with South Africa and expressed optimism that both countries would strengthen dialogue, rebuild confidence and protect the ideals of African solidarity.

The special envoy said the visit was aimed at reaffirming the historic friendship and solidarity between both countries while addressing concerns over the violence against foreign nationals.

Lamola acknowledged Nigeria’s pivotal role in supporting South Africa’s struggle against apartheid, describing the country’s contribution as a sacrifice that remains deeply appreciated by the South Africans.

“We remain deeply indebted to the people of Nigeria for their sacrifice,” the special envoy said, adding that Ramaphosa and his government remain firmly opposed to xenophobia, racism, discrimination, homophobia and all forms of intolerance.

The South African Minister, however, maintained that the Ramaphosa government has a sovereign responsibility to enforce its immigration laws and combat irregular migration and criminal activities, including drug trafficking, internet fraud and other offences.

According to him, migration has become a continental challenge that requires African countries to work together within the framework of the African Union’s protocols on orderly and regular migration.

“We believe that Nigeria and South Africa have a shared responsibility to respond to these challenges within the African continent,” he said, noting that details of President Ramaphosa’s message would be discussed during a closed-door session. (The Nation)

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