NiDCOM urges Nigerians in South Africa to stay cautious as xenophobic unrest spreads

Africa, Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Abike Dabiri, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has urged Nigerians in South Africa to adhere strictly to the advisory issued by the Nigerian Embassy in Johannesburg. She noted that Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, has been engaging her South African counterpart on the matter. Dabiri also called on the African Union (AU) to intervene in what she described as “dastardly xenophobic attacks against blacks in South Africa.”

The advisory, dated April 24, 2026, was signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit at NiDCOM. It follows a circular from the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg (Ref No: CGJHB/AD/209/VOL.1, April 22, 2026), which reported unrest in East London, Cape Town, Durban, and KwaZulu-Natal.

NiDCOM advised Nigerians to avoid confrontation, refrain from unnecessary movements, monitor local media for updates, remain indoors, and stay away from business premises until April 28, 2026. The Commission stressed the importance of vigilance and adherence to safety guidelines during this period of heightened tension.

On April 22, 2026, the Government of Ghana summoned the South African Ambassador to Accra over xenophobic attacks targeting Ghanaians living in South Africa. The latest wave of violence has been widely condemned across Africa and internationally, with calls for stronger measures to protect foreign nationals.

NiDCOM emphasized that the advisory is part of ongoing efforts to protect Nigerians abroad and ensure they remain informed about developments that may affect their safety.

The Commission also encouraged Nigerians in South Africa to stay connected to official communication channels and report any incidents promptly, reiterating its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of citizens in the diaspora.