Xenophobia: Nigerians Not Under Siege In South Africa, Envoy Assures

Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, has dismissed fears that Nigerians were under siege in the country, saying the situation remained under control despite recent xenophobic tensions.

Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast show, ‘Morning Brief’, on Monday, Ajayi said both Nigerian and South African authorities were working closely to ensure the safety of citizens and foreign nationals.

“Let me first make the point that right now, Nigerians are not under siege in South Africa. The situation is currently under control. The governments are working on it,” he said.

“The two governments are working on it. Actually, the priority right now is to ensure the safety and well-being of every citizen, including foreigners.”

His remarks come against the backdrop of recent anti-foreigner protests and violence reported in parts of South Africa, including Durban, Cape Town, and East London, where incidents of assault, looting of foreigners-owned shops, and calls for immigrants to leave, have been reported.

Ajayi, however, described the incidents as isolated and not indicative of a coordinated attack on Nigerians.

“What we have seen is a kind of isolated tension, and that is why it calls for caution,” he said. “But in terms of direct attack or direct siege on Nigerians, that is not taking place right now.”

He added that South African authorities, including the police, have warned against xenophobic actions and targeting of foreigners.

“There have been some concerns about foreigners, in terms of people targeting foreigners. But the government has come out to issue a statement on that, particularly the police commissioner, and cautioned people against targeting foreigners and xenophobic practices,” he noted.

The envoy, who spoke from Pretoria, said the situation in the capital remained calm, with similar reports from Johannesburg.

“For now, I am particularly in Pretoria right now, and the situation is relatively calm. Also, in Johannesburg, it is calm,” he said.

He explained that the unrest was largely limited to parts of KwaZulu-Natal, particularly in Durban, and had since been contained following swift intervention by authorities.

“What we had before was an isolated uprising in KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, which was contained, and which informed the prompt response by the government in terms of issuing that directive to the people. We have also issued some advisories, which call for caution,” Ajayi added.

Reacting to a viral video allegedly showing Nigerians and other foreigners being denied access to a building, the ambassador said those involved do not represent the broader South African population.

“Those people you are seeing don’t represent the entire South African community. They are just people acting on their paymasters,” he said, urging Nigerians to remain law-abiding.

“We have issued a lot of advisories to our people in terms of remaining calm, obeying, and respecting the local laws and customs.”

Earlier, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (DiDCOM) had advised Nigerians in South Africa to exercise caution, stay indoors where necessary, and, in some cases, temporarily shut down businesses as a precautionary measure.