Reps launch probe into Xenophoic attacks on Nigerians, push for victims’ compensation

The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to investigate the human and economic toll of repeated xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, with a view to documenting victims’ losses, pursuing compensation where applicable and strengthening diplomatic efforts to protect Nigerians living abroad.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Babajimi Benson, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, who said the absence of a comprehensive record of casualties and economic losses had undermined Nigeria’s ability to effectively seek justice for affected citizens.

Benson argued that while successive governments had condemned the attacks and lodged diplomatic protests, the country lacked verified data to support policy decisions and negotiations.

He said, “Condemnation and diplomatic protests without a corresponding institutional effort to comprehensively document the losses suffered by Nigerians have denied the Federal Government and the National Assembly an authoritative evidential basis for policy formulation, legislative intervention and sustained diplomatic negotiations.”

The lawmaker stressed that a detailed investigation had become imperative to establish the full human, social and economic impact of the attacks and provide a basis for lasting legislative and diplomatic responses.

He recalled Nigeria’s pivotal contribution to South Africa’s liberation from apartheid, noting that the country made significant diplomatic, political and financial sacrifices in support of the anti-apartheid struggle.

According to him, “Nigeria remains one of the foremost architects of South Africa’s liberation, having committed enormous diplomatic, financial and political resources towards the dismantling of apartheid, including sustained advocacy at the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Organisation of African Unity, establishment of the Southern African Relief Fund, educational scholarships for South Africans and the imposition of economic sacrifices on its own citizens in support of the struggle for freedom.”

Benson, however, lamented that Nigerians legally residing in South Africa had continued to suffer repeated xenophobic attacks over the past two decades.

He said, “Nigerians residing lawfully in the Republic of South Africa have, for nearly two decades, remained recurrent targets of xenophobic violence characterised by killings, mob attacks, physical assaults, arson, looting of businesses, destruction of properties, forced displacement, intimidation and hate campaigns principally directed at African migrants.”

He also expressed concern over the resurgence of anti-foreigner movements, saying recent campaigns by groups such as Operation Dudula had heightened fear among Nigerians, forcing many to abandon their homes, businesses and investments.

According to him, “The recent resurgence of coordinated anti-foreigner campaigns and inflammatory rhetoric by groups such as Operation Dudula and similar organisations created widespread fear amongst Nigerian residents, with many reportedly abandoning homes, businesses and investments while seeking emergency evacuation following threats and unlawful ultimatums issued against foreign African nationals.”

The House subsequently directed its Committees on Integration and Cooperation in Africa and Diaspora and Foreign Affairs to investigate the casualties, economic losses and property damage suffered by Nigerians during previous and recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The committees were also mandated to compile an inventory of properties abandoned by Nigerians because of the attacks and recommend diplomatic, legal and bilateral measures to ensure accountability for perpetrators, secure compensation for victims where appropriate and improve the protection of Nigerians residing in South Africa.

The panels are expected to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.