By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
ABUJA — The House of Representatives has strongly condemned the persistent attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals residing in South Africa, describing the trend as barbaric and unacceptable.
This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance, jointly sponsored by Representatives Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) and Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo) during Thursday’s plenary session.
Leading the debate, the lawmakers expressed profound disappointment over the recurring incidents of violence and extra-judicial killings targeting Nigerians. They particularly lamented that these hostilities persist despite Nigeria’s historical support for South Africa during the Apartheid era.
The lawmakers urged the Executive arm of government to proactively engage the African Union (AU) to establish concrete modalities aimed at ending the xenophobic attacks. Furthermore, they tasked the government with exploring legal avenues, including seeking redress at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to hold perpetrators accountable.
During the session, several members took the floor to voice their indignation, labeling the treatment of African migrants in South Africa as inhumane. They unanimously called for the implementation of stringent diplomatic measures to forestall future occurrences and protect the lives and properties of Nigerians abroad.
Parliamentary Oversight
Presiding over the plenary, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, formally mandated the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to wade into the matter.
Kalu emphasized that the House is committed to a holistic resolution, noting that robust diplomatic channels would be activated to address the crisis decisively. The Committee is expected to investigate the situation and report back to the House with actionable recommendations.
