The federal government has warned Nigerians resident in South Africa to guide against another round of xenophobic attacks against them and other foreigners.
The warning which was contained a press statement by the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa in a press statement, Monday, may not be unconnected to a recent threat by a group, the Operation Dudula, which has threated to attack foreign nationals.
The group had, in recent viral videos informed of the plan to march against foreign nationals in South Africa, particularly targeting foreign business owners, shops and undocumented foreign nationals, starting from Thursday, September 2, 2022.
The High Commission in a letter titled, “Advisory To Nigerians In South Africa”, written by the Consular Section of the Nigeria High Commission and dated August 24, 2022, advised Nigerians to be security-conscious, vigilant and exercise caution in their daily activities due to the threats of attack.
It read in part, “This is to advise Nigerians living in South Africa to be vigilant and exercise caution in their activities due to the recent utterances of the proponents of the Operation Dudula and their threats to attack foreign nationals in this country.
“The group, through public notice and video clips circulated on the social media has informed of plans to march against foreign migrants in South Africa, starting from September 2, 2022, and specifically on foreign business owners, shops and undocumented foreign nationals.
“Nigerians resident in South Africa are hereby advised to exercise caution and be watchful in carrying out their day to day activities.”
Several foreign nationals, particular Nigerians, living and working in South Africa have on several occasions faced xenophobic attacks.
In 2019, foreigners, particularly Nigerians, were targeted and their property looted leading almost to a diplomatic row between Nigeria and South Africa, just as the attacks elicited reprisal looting of South African-owned businesses in Lagos and Abuja.