Nigeria says 98 citizens have been killed in South Africa since 2022, demands justice and compensation for victims, and warns that all response options remain open
FG Demands Justice for 98 Nigerians Killed in South Africa, Says ‘All Options Open’
The Federal Government has demanded justice for Nigerians killed in South Africa and compensation for those whose properties were looted, businesses destroyed and livelihoods wiped out in a fresh diplomatic push over rising Afrophobic attacks in the country.
Abuja also warned that Nigeria was not powerless in responding to the attacks, saying diplomacy remained its preferred path but that “all options are still on the table.”
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, disclosed this after meeting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, in Abuja on Monday. He later briefed President Bola Tinubu on the outcome of the talks.
According to the minister, official records show that at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related attacks in South Africa since 2022, while thousands have suffered losses from repeated outbreaks of anti-migrant violence.
“We have seen a pattern that has become a concern to the Nigerian government,” Enikanolaiye said, adding that attacks against Africans in South Africa date back several decades.
He said Nigeria had made it clear to South Africa that protesters were not permitted under international law to “hunt, harass, kill or loot the property of Nigerians or other Africans.”
“We made it very clear. And he (the special envoy) agreed with us,” he said.
The minister revealed that the Federal Government had begun compiling a comprehensive list of losses suffered by Nigerians, with claims forms already distributed to victims to document destroyed businesses, stolen property and other damages.
“You can’t even make a claim unless you know exactly the volume and distribution of those who are making those claims,” he said.
Enikanolaiye acknowledged that compensation remained a contentious issue in discussions with South Africa but said Nigeria would proceed with verified claims.
“We regard this as a work in progress. Despite the ongoing discussions, we will submit our claims when we complete the verification process on our side,” he stated.
He said Nigeria had also demanded accountability for the killings and had presented South Africa with a list of Nigerians who died in the attacks.
“As regards the number of Nigerians who have died, we gave them that list from 2022 to date. They promised to fast-track investigations into those deaths. We also insisted on accountability,” he said.
According to him, South African authorities informed Nigeria that some arrests had been made and prosecutions were ongoing, but Abuja insisted that those responsible must be convicted.
The minister stressed that every Nigerian deserved protection regardless of immigration status.
“Whether they are regular or irregular, they are human beings… Criminals also have a right to life.
“You cannot say because they are criminals and begin to hound and kill them,” he said.
Enikanolaiye disclosed that about 1,490 Nigerians had already been evacuated from South Africa, including two batches sponsored by private individuals, and thanked President Tinubu for approving resources for the evacuation exercise. He added that many more Nigerians still wished to return and that government was exploring additional funding.
He said both countries had agreed to urgently activate the Early Warning Mechanism and the Nigeria–South Africa Bi-National Commission to prevent further violence.
On the broader diplomatic engagement, the minister said the welfare of Nigerians remained the central pillar of the Tinubu administration’s foreign policy.
“So, whatever we do… it is about the Nigerian people, their welfare, their security, their defence, and everything that will make Nigeria a stable, prosperous and great country,” he said.
After briefing the President, Enikanolaiye reiterated that Nigeria retained other response options if diplomatic efforts failed.
“We are not helpless in this situation. All options are still on the table,” he said.
He added that President Tinubu agreed the violence was more accurately described as “Afrophobic” rather than xenophobic and would leverage his relationship with President Ramaphosa to pursue a lasting solution.
