Video: FG warns Nigeria will no longer tolerate attacks on citizens in South Africa
Abdullateef Fowewe
Vice President Kashim Shettima has restated Nigeria’s opposition to xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, warning that the Federal Government will no longer accept the dehumanisation or mistreatment of its citizens.
Shettima spoke in Luanda, Angola, shortly before departing for Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
In a statement on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said the Vice President maintained that Nigeria would pursue dialogue with South Africa but would firmly defend the dignity and safety of Nigerians.
“Those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should learn to be humble,” Shettima said.
“We were part of the struggle for the liberation of our brothers and sisters in Southern Africa, and we feel personally pained that our people have been picked up for humiliation.”
The Vice President said Nigeria would no longer “countenance a situation whereby our people are dehumanised and put into very, very unacceptable situations.”
He, however, stressed that the Nigerian government was not seeking to worsen relations with South Africa, noting that diplomatic engagement remained the preferred route to addressing the concerns.
“But we believe in having very robust conversations with our South African brothers,” he said.
“We don’t want to overheat the polity, but once in a while, you have to make it very clear, vehemently clear, that certain situations are unacceptable, and we’ll work things out.”
Shettima also urged South African authorities to protect lives and uphold human dignity while enforcing the country’s immigration laws.
The Vice President has since returned to Nigeria from Angola.
