01 July 226
The Nigerian government says it will not tolerate any “humiliation” or serious harm to its interests as South Africa faces a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigration protests.
Speaking on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s _Politics Today_, the Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Demola Oshodi, said Abuja has already put measures in place to safeguard Nigerians living in South Africa and to defend the country’s interests there.
He stressed that Nigeria takes the safety of its citizens more seriously than even the investments at stake, pointing to the fact that President Tinubu has dispatched his ambassador to South Africa as proof of that priority.
> _“We will not accept any sort of humiliation or definitely any huge damages to our interests there. It’s just not possible,”_ Oshodi said. _“But I do assure you that we take the lives of Nigerians more seriously than even these investments that I’m talking about.”_
At the same time, Oshodi said Nigeria will not overreact. He explained that the two countries have deep historical and economic ties, particularly in business, and remain Africa’s two largest economies. Because of that relationship, he said, the Tinubu administration is handling the matter carefully and in stages.
> _“The Tinubu government is really on top of things. I’ve said we’ve moved hundreds of the most vulnerable people out of South Africa. We’ve escalated this to the South African government, and we are taking steps to do more.”_
He added that Nigeria does not want to _“throw the baby out with the bathwater.”_ For now, the government is monitoring the situation around the June 30 deadline that protest groups set for undocumented migrants to leave, and is watching to see how seriously South Africa moves to protect Nigerian nationals.
*Compensation for Losses Being Considered*
A new batch of Nigerians returned home from South Africa on Tuesday, the same day the deadline expired.
The repatriation follows a renewed wave of xenophobic attacks that has also prompted countries like Ghana to evacuate citizens.
Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, said the evacuation will not be the end of the matter. Speaking on _The Morning Brief_ on Tuesday, he said the Federal Government is preparing to pursue compensation for Nigerians who were forced to abandon businesses, shops and other properties during the protests.
Ajayi urged returnees to give accurate details of their losses, saying Abuja will work with Pretoria to verify locations and present claims.
> _“We will not allow the labour people have suffered to build over the years to just go down the drain or be taken over by people,”_ he said.
*Protests Across South Africa*
On Tuesday, thousands of South Africans marched nationwide demanding the removal of undocumented foreigners, following weeks of citizen-led demonstrations. Police were deployed heavily, and there were isolated incidents of tension, including stone-throwing and confrontations near Johannesburg. Security forces moved a few foreign nationals away from angry crowds, several people were arrested for looting, and soldiers were stationed in Johannesburg and Durban overnight.
In central Johannesburg, demonstrators carrying sticks and flags filled the streets while many shops remained closed, workers stayed indoors, and transport hubs were quiet. Authorities confirmed that four people have died in the unrest so far.
