Nigeria Summons SA Acting High Commissioner Over Attacks

Nigeria summoned South Africa's acting High Commissioner on Monday, May 4, in Abuja to address recent attacks on Nigerian citizens and their businesses amid anti-foreigner protests in South Africa.

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs scheduled the meeting to formally express profound concern over documented instances of mistreatment, harassment, and property damage targeting Nigerians, according to a statement from ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa. Officials said the discussions would focus on ongoing demonstrations by various groups in South Africa that have escalated into violence against foreign nationals. The ministry noted that these events risk straining the longstanding diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.

Reports indicate at least two Nigerians were killed in April during the incidents. One, identified as Ekpenyong Andrew, died after an arrest by South African National Defence Force personnel in Port Elizabeth, with his body later found in Pretoria. The other, Amaramiro Emmanuel, succumbed to injuries from a similar encounter. Local media also reported attacks on citizens from other African countries, including four Ethiopians killed in...