By Adekunle Oluwafunmilayo
The Federal Government has warned that it may take tougher measures against South Africa if the ongoing xenophobic attacks against Nigerians persist, declaring that its continued diplomatic engagement should not be mistaken for weakness.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State.
According to him, while Nigeria remains committed to resolving the crisis through diplomacy in line with its African foreign policy, stronger retaliatory measures remain under consideration should South African authorities fail to curb attacks on foreign nationals.
"Africa remains the centrepiece of our foreign policy, so we are pursuing dialogue and negotiations. But that does not mean commensurate retaliatory actions are off the table. We have put the South African government on notice that if this trend continues, Nigeria will take more drastic action," Ebienfa said.
He added that although the government would not disclose the specific measures being considered, Nigerians would be satisfied with its response if diplomatic efforts prove unsuccessful.
Ebienfa also revealed that Nigeria is pushing for the xenophobic attacks to be discussed by the African Union, arguing that the issue affects the entire continent and requires a collective response.
He said the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olaoluwa Enikanolaiye, had already urged the African Union Peace and Security Council to place the matter on its agenda.
The ministry spokesman warned that failure by African leaders to collectively address the crisis could encourage similar attacks in other countries across the continent.
On the evacuation of Nigerians, Ebienfa assured that President Bola Tinubu had directed that every Nigerian willing to return home would be evacuated from South Africa.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had approved five evacuation flights, with three already completed, although the latest scheduled flight was delayed due to a technical fault involving the Air Peace aircraft assigned for the operation.
According to him, 859 Nigerians have so far been evacuated, while the remaining approved flights are expected to bring back hundreds more citizens.
He stressed that the evacuation exercise is entirely funded by the Federal Government, dismissing reports that evacuees were being asked to pay for their return.
"No Nigerian is paying any money. All the evacuation flights have been fully funded by the Federal Government," he said.
Ebienfa further disclosed that Nigerians displaced by the attacks have received temporary shelter and welfare support at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, while a private Nigerian philanthropist also sponsored the return of 66 citizens on commercial flights.
He also said the Federal Government was compiling data on businesses abandoned by Nigerians fleeing South Africa, with a view to demanding compensation from the South African government for legally established investments lost as a result of the attacks.
According to him, Nigeria would continue engaging South African authorities to ensure the safety of Nigerians while pursuing compensation for affected business owners.
Ebienfa added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reviewing policies aimed at strengthening the protection of Nigerians abroad, including proposals that would require citizens travelling overseas for employment to register with relevant authorities before departure to reduce cases of exploitation and improve consular assistance
