Nigeria Mulls Retaliatory Measures Against South Africa

The Nigerian government stated on Monday that it is considering retaliatory measures against South Africa in response to a new wave of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerian nationals. Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu announced the position after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, sharply criticizing South Africa's response as inadequate.

Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu accused South African authorities of failing to protect Nigerians from harassment, intimidation, and attacks on their businesses and families. She specifically rejected claims from some South African officials that the violence was directed only at illegal migrants, stating that Nigerians with legal status were being victimized. She said criminal actions were being perpetrated, and police were refusing to act, while the South African government had not condemned the incidents firmly enough.

"The situation we are considering is up to our legislature," Odumegwu-Ojukwu said when asked about potential reciprocal actions against South African interests in Nigeria. "This is a decision that has to be taken at the highest level of government, but it's not off the table."