Nigeria and South Africa at the weekend reached an agreement to work towards permanent solutions to end recurring xenophobic attacks on migrants, including Nigerians in South Africa.
This is the outcome of the visit by the Special Envoy sent by President Muhammadu Buhari to South Africa in the wake of recent xenophobic attacks on migrants, including Nigerians, according to a statement by Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, on Monday
President Buhari had dispatched Ahmed Abubakar, director-general, National Intelligence Agency (DGNIA), as his special envoy to South Africa to convey a special message to his counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The statement noted that the special envoy, who was in Pretoria from Thursday, 5th to Saturday, 7th September, 2019, conveyed deep concern of President Buhari and Nigerians about the intermittent violence against Nigerians and their property/business interests in South Africa.
“The Special Envoy also interfaced with his South African counterpart, where they reviewed the situation of foreign emigrants in general and Nigerians in particular,” the statement said.
“They agreed to work together to find a permanent solution to the root causes of the recurring attacks on Nigerians and their property,” it said.
The statement said President Buhari has taken note of the report and instructed the minister of foreign affairs to continue to engage with appropriate authorities on the concrete measure the South African government is expected to take.
President Buhari has also given instruction for the immediate voluntary evacuation of all Nigerians who are willing to return home.
In his message to South African President Ramaphosa, President Buhari had stressed the need for South African government to take visible measures to stop violence against citizens of brotherly African nations.
President Ramaphosa, on the other hand, reaffirmed his stand against criminality and his commitment to do everything possible to protect the rights of every Nigerian and other foreign nationals in the country.
Meanwhile, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman and CEO, Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), on Monday disclosed that 12 South African policemen that are connected to the attacks on Nigerians had been arrested and the Federal Government was working to ensure they are punished.
Erewa said about 364 Nigerians that were attacked in South Africa were already prepared to be airlifted back to the country.
Out of the 12 policemen arrested, Erewa said eight were apprehended in the previous attacks while four were picked in the recent attacks.
She said contrary to the clamour that Nigeria should go on the offensive with government of South Africa, the FG has resolved not to brutally retaliate but seek peaceful ways to end the matter.
According to her, the returnees would be engaged into the national social empowerment programme and also be issued soft loans to enable them start up without difficulties.
TONY AILEMEN, SOLOMON AYADO, Abuja, & SEGUN ADAMS, Lagos
