Nigeria Will No Longer Tolerate Xenophobic Attacks on Citizens in South Africa — Shettima

Nigeria has drawn a firm line against the mistreatment of its citizens in South Africa, with Vice President Kashim Shettima warning that recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks can no longer be ignored.

Shettima issued the warning on Monday while departing Luanda, Angola, where he represented President Bola Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

Speaking to journalists before leaving Angola, the Vice President said the repeated reports of Nigerians being humiliated and subjected to unacceptable treatment in South Africa had gone beyond what the Nigerian government was prepared to tolerate.

His Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed the comments in a statement titled “VP Shettima: Why South Africans Must Rethink Xenophobic, Afrophobic Attacks.”

“The government and people of Nigeria will no longer countenance a situation whereby our people are dehumanised and put into very, very unacceptable situations,” Shettima said.

The Vice President also reminded South Africans of Nigeria’s historic contribution to the liberation struggles across Southern Africa. He said Nigerians were therefore deeply pained by reports of their compatriots being subjected to humiliation, adding, “Those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should learn to be humble.”

Despite the strong warning, Shettima said Nigeria would continue to favour dialogue and diplomatic engagement with South Africa. He stressed, however, that Nigeria’s willingness to exercise restraint should not be interpreted as acceptance of the attacks.

Shettima called on South African authorities to protect lives and respect human dignity while enforcing immigration laws. He described the recurring incidents as a threat to African unity, solidarity and peaceful coexistence.

The Federal Government has already raised the issue at the African Union, formally reporting the attacks and requesting that the matter be placed on the agenda of the AU’s 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027. Shettima has since departed Luanda for Nigeria.