Nigeria has called on South Africa to investigate the deaths of Nigerian citizens and conduct autopsies on their bodies following fresh reports of xenophobic violence in the country.
The demand came as tensions between the two nations escalated over recurring attacks on foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, in South African cities. The Nigerian government said it would not tolerate the loss of its citizens to what it described as mindless violence driven by xenophobic sentiment.
Beyond the immediate investigation, Nigeria pressed South Africa to take concrete steps to curb xenophobic attacks across its states. The government said it expected the South African authorities to deploy adequate security measures, arrest perpetrators, and prosecute them under local laws to send a strong deterrent message.
The deaths add to a long list of Nigerians killed in South Africa over the years, a pattern that has repeatedly strained diplomatic relations between Africa's two largest economies. Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Ministry said it was closely monitoring the situation and would engage South Africa at the highest levels to ensure justice for the victims and protection for its remaining citizens in the country.
South Africa has wrestled with xenophobic violence for years, with foreign nationals often targeted by mobs over perceived economic competition and other grievances. Nigerian traders, professionals, and students have been among the hardest hit, facing attacks on their businesses and persons in townships and city centers.
