Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has condemned the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa.
Speaking on ‘Politics Today’, a Channels Television
programme, on Thursday following the arrival of the first batch of 258
Nigerians evacuated from South Africa, Dabiri-Erewa described their ordeal as
“terrible, disappointing and painful”.
“Those 258 that came in, none of them committed any crime.
The only crime they committed was the colour of their skin; they are black
migrants in South Africa,” she said.
“If one person commits a crime, get that person and deal
with that person. You cannot generalise, and their government is looking the
other way, and that is the sad part.”
Dabiri-Erewa noted that those who were repatriated committed
no offence and were targeted because of the colour of their skin.
The NiDCOM chair said diplomatic engagements between Nigeria
and South Africa were ongoing, adding that the federal government would decide
on further action.
“What Nigeria will do in terms of bilateral relations, we
will hear from the minister of foreign affairs and maybe even the president,”
she said.
“But honestly, enough is enough; enough really has to be
enough. Whatever will be done, we will hear from the higher authorities.”
Dabiri-Erewa said more batches of Nigerians are expected to
return in the coming days.
“Our diplomatic engagement is still going on. Diplomacy is
always about having a conversation,” she added.
“The minister of foreign affairs is still engaging her
counterparts, and I’m sure the two presidents will be talking more about this.
“We are glad this first batch is home, and we are going to
have, I think, three to five batches.”
The first batch of evacuees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday.
Some of the returnees said they were subjected to
discrimination, segregation and degrading treatment during their stay in South
Africa.
One of the returnees said they were treated “like slaves”,
claiming migrant families were isolated and their children segregated from
others.
The latest development has reignited concerns over
xenophobia in South Africa, where migrants from other African countries,
including Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, have repeatedly been
targeted.
South Africa has experienced several waves of anti-immigrant
violence since 2008, fuelled by accusations that foreign nationals are
responsible for crime, unemployment and pressure on public services.
The attacks have led to deaths, injuries, displacement and
the destruction of businesses owned by migrants.
Nigeria has repeatedly condemned the attacks and engaged
South African authorities through diplomatic channels, while demanding stronger
measures to protect African migrants living in the country.
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