Nigerians Not Under Siege in South Africa — Envoy Assures
- Apr 27
- 1 min read
Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, has stated that Nigerians living in the country remain safe despite recent tensions linked to anti-foreigner sentiments. He emphasized that the situation has not escalated into a widespread or targeted attack against Nigerians.
Speaking during an interview on Morning Brief aired by Channels Television, Ajayi explained that authorities in both Nigeria and South Africa are actively working together to maintain peace and ensure the safety of all residents, including foreign nationals.
His comments follow reports of unrest in parts of South Africa, particularly in Durban, Cape Town, and East London, where incidents of violence, looting, and protests targeting foreign-owned businesses were recorded.
Ajayi described these incidents as isolated and not representative of a nationwide crisis. According to him, while tensions have been observed, they do not amount to a coordinated or sustained attack on Nigerians living in the country.
He further noted that security agencies in South Africa have issued warnings against xenophobic behavior, reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting both citizens and foreigners from harm.
Providing an update from Pretoria, the envoy said the environment remains calm, adding that Johannesburg has also maintained relative stability following earlier disturbances.
Ajayi also addressed a viral video circulating online that allegedly showed foreigners being denied access to a public facility. He dismissed the actions in the clip as the conduct of a few individuals, stressing that such behavior does not reflect the broader South African population.
He advised Nigerians residing in South Africa to remain law-abiding, stay alert, and adhere to official guidance, assuring that both governments continue to monitor developments closely and are committed to preventing escalation.
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