Nigeria Summons South Africa Envoy, Plans to Evacuate 130 Citizens Amid Xenophobia Crisis

Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry summoned South Africa’s acting High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lesoli Machele, on Monday for a face-to-face meeting in Abuja, as the diplomatic fallout from xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa worsened. At least 130 Nigerian citizens have since registered for voluntary evacuation flights home.

What happened in the meeting

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, held direct talks with Machele. The ministry’s spokesman, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, briefed journalists on what was discussed afterwards.

Nigeria formally condemned the recent deaths of three Nigerians — Nnaemeka Matthew, Andrew Ekpeyong, and Kelvin Chidiebere Amaramiro — following what the ministry described as alleged assaults by South African security personnel. Nigeria demanded thorough and impartial investigations into all three deaths, full access to autopsy reports and case files, and legal process access for the families of the deceased.

The ministry also named specific groups it wants South Africa to act against, including one reportedly led by Jacinta Zuma, as well as Operation Dudula, accusing them of inciting violence against foreign nationals.

Evacuation plans

Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said on her X account that the evacuation arrangement was ordered by President Tinubu, who has directed heightened monitoring of the situation. She confirmed that 130 Nigerians had already formally registered interest in the voluntary evacuation flights.

Anti-foreigner protests in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, and KwaZulu-Natal have left many Nigerians shuttering their businesses early and avoiding public spaces. According to the minister, official South African reports suggest the April 27-29 protests were largely peaceful, though tear gas was used in some areas. Nigerian officials are not fully satisfied with that account.

Nigeria’s demands

Beyond investigating the deaths, Nigeria pressed South Africa to issue clear directives against racial profiling, enforce professional conduct standards during arrests, and ensure that Nigerians living lawfully in the country are properly protected. The ministry also welcomed a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding on Early Warning Mechanisms between the two countries, calling for its rapid activation as a channel for fast information-sharing when threats arise.

This is a rapidly developing story. Nigeria had previously given South Africa four formal demands, summoned its envoy, and now held a high-level meeting — each step escalating the pressure.

Sources: The Sun Nigeria, Guardian Nigeria, AP News, Nairametrics