The Nigerian government has been urged to undertake diplomatic engagements with the Republic of South Africa on the need to protect the rights and lives of Nigerians living in South Africa.
The lawmakers agreed to invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyeama and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa to brief the House on measures taken to guarantee the security of lives and properties of Nigerians in South Africa.
These were contained in a motion at the House of Representatives on the Urgent Call for Concerted Diplomatic Action to Stop the Recurring Killings of Nigerians in South Africa.
Presenting the motion, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, from Abia State expressed concern over the numerous incidences of the gruesome killings of Nigerians in the Republic of South Africa, most of which prompted different reactions from the House, Nigerians, and the world at large.
She said: “Despite the reactions of the House to those previous killings, there has been no resolute move by the Federal Government to engage the Government of South Africa in a bid to stop the killings of Nigerians, which have continued with mindless impunity.
Concerned that Nigerians remain an endangered people in South Africa with no succor in sight from either the Nigerian or South African Government.”
The House unanimously condemned the seeming unabated impunity with which Nigerians are attacked and killed in cold blood which is sometimes within the view of South African law enforcement agents.
The House further stressed the need for more to be done through deliberations with the South African Government to ensure the protection of Nigerians in South Africa and proper justice be done over previous killings of Nigerians.
– Omolayo.A I VON
