Amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic pressure on Pretoria while rejecting calls for an immediate suspension of relations between both countries.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), who condemned recurring violence, unlawful arrests, extrajudicial killings and persecution of Nigerians living in South Africa.
Moving the motion during plenary on Thursday, Gagdi said the attacks had claimed lives, destroyed businesses and forced many Nigerians and other Africans to flee their homes despite years of diplomatic engagements.
He said recent reports showed a fresh escalation of attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals, adding that the Nigerian government had confirmed the deaths of two citizens — one allegedly killed in South African police custody and another murdered outside his business premises.
Gagdi recalled Nigeria’s historic support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle, describing it as disturbing that Nigerians were now facing violence and discrimination in the country. He warned that failure to prosecute perpetrators had encouraged a culture of impunity and criticised alleged inflammatory comments by a South African minister, saying they could worsen tensions.
The lawmaker said the attacks undermined African unity and regional integration, warning that continued violence could further strain diplomatic relations and weaken confidence in human rights protection across the continent.
During the debate, lawmakers called for stronger measures against South Africa.
Co-sponsor of the motion, Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo), recalled that the House had earlier adopted a similar resolution, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of Nigerians from South Africa.
He said 856 out of nearly 1,000 Nigerians who registered for evacuation had returned home, but argued that the latest killings showed South African authorities had failed to protect foreign nationals. Osawaru proposed suspending diplomatic, political and economic engagements with South Africa until concrete steps were taken to end the attacks.
The proposal was rejected by the House, with Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu cautioning against such a major decision without a proper investigation.
