The Federal Government has issued a fresh advisory urging Nigerians living in South Africa to exercise caution amid plans for renewed anti-foreigner protests in parts of the country.
The warning, conveyed through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), followed reports of violent demonstrations in several cities, including East London, Cape Town, Durban, and KwaZulu-Natal.
According to NiDCOM, the advisory was based on an official circular from the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg, which indicated that recent protests have escalated into looting, destruction of property, and physical attacks on foreign nationals.
The Commission, led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, cautioned that further demonstrations are expected in Gauteng Province between April 27 and 29, with organisers reportedly seeking to pressure authorities over the presence of immigrants.
In response, Nigerians in the country have been advised to avoid protest areas, refrain from engaging with demonstrators, and closely monitor local media for safety updates.
They were also urged to remain law-abiding and take proactive measures to protect themselves and their businesses during the period of unrest.
NiDCOM specifically recommended that Nigerian-owned businesses consider closing on April 27—marked as Freedom Day in South Africa—and possibly remain shut through April 28 and 29, noting that foreign-owned establishments are often targeted during such disturbances.
The Commission affirmed that the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg remains fully operational and is working closely with local law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of Nigerian citizens.
It added that diplomatic engagements were ongoing, with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, in discussions with her South African counterpart.
The advisory comes amid circulation of viral videos showing groups confronting and, in some instances, attacking African immigrants while demanding their departure, heightening concerns over the safety of Nigerians in the country.
