The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) has appealed to the Federal Government and African leaders to halt ongoing xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans in South Africa.
NICASA President, Frank Onyekwelu, made the appeal in a statement on Monday, following persistent harassment, intimidation, and the killing of foreign nationals in the country.
Onyekwelu expressed concern over targeted harassment and reported cases of police brutality against Nigerian citizens and other African nationals in South Africa.
According to him, the spate of violent incidents requires urgent intervention to prevent escalation.
He called on President Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders responsible for Nigerians in the diaspora to intervene promptly to halt the attacks.
Onyekwelu said, “We are alarmed by the increasing normalization of hostility, manifested through inflammatory rhetoric by certain political actors, unlawful intimidation, and discriminatory enforcement practices by some law enforcement personnel.
“These actions not only undermine human dignity but also threaten the long-standing bonds of African solidarity.
“On behalf of the Nigerian community, I appeal to President Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), and the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives to act with urgency, firmness, and strategic diplomacy in addressing these developments.”
The NICASA president stressed that protecting Nigerian citizens abroad is both a constitutional and moral obligation.
He noted that silence or delayed responses could reinforce the dangerous and false narrative that Nigerians in the diaspora are abandoned by their government.
He underscored the need for high-level diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to ensure the protection of lives, businesses, and rights of Nigerians.
Onyekwelu also suggested establishing a transparent mechanism for reporting, documenting, and addressing cases of abuse, harassment, and xenophobic violence.
He said there should be accountability for any law enforcement officers found culpable of brutality or discrimination, noting that this would serve as a deterrent and ensure the safety and welfare of citizens globally.
“Nigerians in South Africa are law-abiding, economically contributing, and socially integrated members of society. The reckless stereotyping and collective criminalization of our people must stop.
“The efforts of the Nigerian Consul-General, Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, have given hope and shown that there are committed officials whose actions require stronger government backing.
“NICASA reiterates its commitment to peace, lawful conduct, and constructive engagement within our host nation. We urge compatriots to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding while we pursue diplomatic and institutional remedies,” he said.
He further urged African leaders to work together to end the rising trend of intra-African hostility.
“We call for a united continental response through the African Union and regional blocs to confront and dismantle the structures, narratives, and policies fueling this growing intolerance,” he added.
According to him, Africa cannot progress while its people are divided, noting that xenophobia contradicts the vision of continental integration and shared prosperity.
He emphasized that Africa’s unity is not just a slogan but a necessity, and that peaceful coexistence across the continent is a shared responsibility.
“NICASA remains resolute in advocating for justice, dignity, and the protection of every Nigerian in the diaspora,” he said.
